| Name: | Description: | Size: | Format: | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.01 MB | Adobe PDF |
Authors
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Iberorhyzobius rondensis (Eizaguirre) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is a recently
described species, unique in its genus, endemic to the Iberian Peninsula. The beetle
feeds on egg masses of the pine bast scale Matsucoccus feytaudi Ducasse (Hemiptera:
Matsucoccidae) and is strongly attracted to the prey’s sexual pheromone. M. feytaudi is
endemic to Western Europe and North Africa and invasive in Southeastern Europe. Its
sole host is Pinus pinaster. Here we evaluate the potential of I. rondensis as a biological
control agent of M. feytaudi. Several characteristics of the beetle were assessed: prey
and habitat range, life traits, phenology, phylogeography, phylogeny and predatory
efficacy. Our results revealed that I. rondensis is highly specialized, depending on M.
feytaudi to complete its development, and it only occurs on P. pinaster trees.
Phylogeography matches the one of the prey evidencing a co-evolutionary history. The
phylogenetic study validates the genus. A review on the prey specialization of 186
ladybird species was performed. Several traits were found to be related with prey
specialization, mainly habitat specialization and host specialization of the prey. I.
rondensis emerges as a rare case of prey specialization among ladybirds. All results
support I. rondensis as an appropriate candidate for biological control of M. feytaudi.
Description
Doutoramento em Engenharia Florestal e dos Recursos Naturais - Instituto Superior de Agronomia
Keywords
Coccidophagous Coccoidea biocontrol coccinellid prey-predator
Pedagogical Context
Citation
Tavares, Catarina de Azevedo - Prey specialization in ladybirds: Iberorhyzobius rondensis, a potential biological control of Matsucoccus feytaudi. Lisboa: ISA, 2014, 258 p.