Aphid host plant and food suitability for aphidophagous larvae: impact on ladybird reproductive performance

Biological performance of aphidophagous predators including those that are polyphagous, are known to depend largely on their food quality. Several aphid species have already been demonstrated to be toxic to their natural enemies due to the presence of secondary metabolites in their host plant. The effect of allelochemicals from brassica plants (glucosinolates) on Adalia bipunctata reproduction were investigated using Myzus persicae as prey for the ladybird larvae. After changing the aphid/prey host plant fed from adult mergence, female fecundity and egg viability were observed and compared with ladybirds reared on other aphid / host plant species combinations including Acyrthosiphon pisum reared on beans. The impact of prey host plant on beneficial predators is discussed as an important factor in biological control efficacy.