Generalist predators disrupt parasitoid aphid control by direct and coincidental intraguild predation

Traugott, Michael, Bell, J. R., Raso, L., Sint, D. and Symondson, William Oliver Christian ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3343-4679 2012. Generalist predators disrupt parasitoid aphid control by direct and coincidental intraguild predation. Bulletin of Entomological Research 102 (2) , pp. 239-247. 10.1017/S0007485311000551

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Abstract

Generalist predators and parasitoids are considered to be important regulators of aphids. The former not only feed on these pests, but might also consume parasitoids at all stages of development. This direct or coincidental interference affects the natural control of aphids, the scale of which is largely unknown, and it has rarely been examined under natural conditions. Here, molecular diagnostics were used to track trophic interactions in an aphid-parasitoid-generalist predator community during the build-up of a cereal aphid population. We found that generalist predators, principally carabid and staphylinid beetles as well as linyphiid spiders, had strong trophic links to both parasitoids and aphids. Remarkably, more than 50% of the parasitoid DNA detected in predators stems from direct predation on adult parasitoids. The data also suggest that coincidental intraguild predation is common too. Generalist predators, hence, disrupt parasitoid aphid control, although the levels at which the predators feed on pests and parasitoids seem to vary significantly between predator taxa. Our results suggest that taxon-specific trophic interactions between natural enemies need to be considered to obtain a more complete understanding of the route to effective conservation biological control.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Biosciences
Subjects:	Q Science > Q Science (General)
Additional Information:	Pdf uploaded in accordance with publisher's policy at http://www.sherpa.ac.uk/romeo/issn/0007-4853/ (accessed 21/02/2014).
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
ISSN:	0007-4853
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 March 2016
Last Modified:	02 May 2023 23:17
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/32111

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