The Predation Behavior of Odontomachus monticola and Camponotus japonicus on Black Cutworm(Agrotis ipsilon)
[Objective]Black cutworm(Agrotis ipsilon)is one of the important underground pests of food and cash crops.The objective of this study is to clarify the predation characteristics of Odontomachus monticola and Camponotus japonicus on A.ipsilon,enrich the biological control techniques of A.ipsilon,and to reduce the cost of A.ipsilon control and the amount of chemical pesticides.[Method]Predation selectivity,predation mode,predation lethality on different A.ipsilon stages by O.monticola and C.japonicus were observed and counted under two natural conditions,soil cover and bare prey,for 1,6,12,24 and 48 h.Sequence characteristics of predation behavior were carried out indoors using experimental populations of the two ant species.Statistical analyses were performed to clarify the differences in predation behavior and pest control characteristics of the two ant species.[Result]C.japonicus was less lethal to A.ipsilon eggs,and the cumulative 48 h lethality was only 12.67％.O.monticola did not feed on A.ipsilon eggs.The control effect of the two ant species on A.ipsilon larvae and pupae was over 49％and up to 98.67％,and the control effect decreased with the age of A.ipsilon.There were some differences in the sequence characteristics of predation behavior of O.monticola and C.japonicus:for A.ipsilon low instar larvae,both ants mainly carried directly;for the largerA.ipsilon elder instar larvae,C.japonicus had behaviors of probing,attacking,calling companions,cutting prey and carrying in groups,which showed obvious group behavior.On the other hand,the predation behavior of O.monticola on large prey was simple,and behaviors such as calling companions and group handling were not observed,the group predation behavior was not obvious.The differences in the predation behavior of the two ant species on A.ipsilon were also reflected in the mode of predation and lethality on A.ipsilon:Most of the low instar A.ipsilon larvae were carried directly by C.japonicus,the predation efficiency was very high,and C.japonicas usually preyed A.ipsilon elder instar larvae in groups.O.monticola had a higher proportion of discarded elder A.ipsilon larvae,but A.ipsilon larvae that escaped predation by biting and stinging had a higher mortality.In addition,soil cover strongly influenced the detection of A.ipsilon larvae by ants,the two ant species could only detect surface prey and not subterranean prey.[Conclusion]C.japonicus and O.monticola have better control effect on both A.ipsilon larvae and pupae,and the lower the age of A.ipsilon,the better the control effect.There are some differences in the predation behavior of the two ant species on the elder A.ipsilon larvae,but it does not affect the control effect on A.ipsilon.
antunderground pestblack cutworm(Agrotis ipsilon)lethalitysequence of predation behaviorpredator insect
万方数据
维普
