1. Population dynamics ofSpalgis epius(Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), a candidate biocontrol agent of mealybugs and its interaction with mealybug-attendant ants
- Author
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M. G. Venkatesha and Anegunda S. Dinesha
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,education.field_of_study ,biology ,Ecology ,Population ,Biological pest control ,Lycaenidae ,biology.organism_classification ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Population density ,Spalgis epius ,Predation ,Lepidoptera genitalia ,010602 entomology ,Insect Science ,Mealybug ,education ,Agronomy and Crop Science - Abstract
Spalgis epius is an economically important hemipterophagous butterfly. Detailed information on the population dynamics, natural enemies, and prey range of S. epius and its association with mealybug-attendant ant species is lacking. Three years of field studies conducted at Bangalore University campus, Bengaluru, India on these aspects indicated that the population density of S. epius was greatest from June to December and least from February to May in the low land region. S. epius survived on eight prey species, which were present in different months, of which Phenacoccus indicus was recorded as a prey of S. epius for the first time. Different prey species occurred on 12 species of host plants. The occurrence of S. epius was negatively correlated with temperature and positively correlated with relative humidity and prey populations. Six mealybug-attendant ant species were associated with the larvae of S. epius. The seven general predators of S. epius adults were recorded. Knowledge on the populati...
- Published
- 2016
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