Life table of the predator Alloeocranum biannulipes Montrouzier and Signoret (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) and a test of its ability to suppress populations of Dinoderus porcellus Lesne (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) in stored yam chips

Publication date: Available online 30 December 2018Source: Biological ControlAuthor(s): Loko Yêyinou Laura Estelle, Dieudonné Martin Gavoedo, Toffa Joelle, Orobiyi Azize, Thomas-Odjo Agnés, Tamò ManueleAbstractStored yam chips are attacked by Dinoderus porcellus Lesne, which can cause significant losses. The predator Alloeocranum biannulipes Montr. and Sign. is a potential biological control agent of D. porcellus. The biology, predation and mating behaviour of A. biannulipes were investigated under laboratory conditions. Moreover, the regulatory effect of this predator on population dynamics of D. porcellus, and hence on yam chips losses, were evaluated under both laboratory and natural conditions. Female A. biannulipes laid on average 42.1 ± 6.8 eggs, which hatched some 4.3 ± 0.3 d after laying, with a hatching rate of 86%. A total of five nymphal stages were recorded with a total nymphal period of 28.2 ± 0.1 d, and a total developmental period of 32.4 ± 2.3 d. Female A. biannulipes lived longer (29.3 ± 1.3 d) than did the males (25.8 ± 4.1 d). Periods of pre-oviposition, oviposition, and post-oviposition were 12.8 ± 1.7, 10.5 ± 1.0 and 5.3 ± 0.5 d, respectively. Life‐table analysis revealed an intrinsic rate of increase 0.29 females/day and a gross reproductive rate of 28.38 females/female. The predator A. biannulipes exhibited a 'pin and jab' mode of predation, and its mating behaviour consisted in sequential actions (excitation and approach, riding over, co...
Source: Biological Control - Category: Biology Source Type: research