Hippodamia convergens

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Convergent lady beetle
Convergent Ladybeetle (29666700695).jpg
Sucking on an aphid, Rock Creek Park
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Infraorder: Cucujiformia
Family: Coccinellidae
Genus: Hippodamia
Species:
H. convergens
Binomial name
Hippodamia convergens

Hippodamia convergens, commonly known as the convergent lady beetle, is one of the most common lady beetles in North America and is found throughout the continent. [1] They tend to live a variety of habitats, including grasslands and forests. [2]

Contents

Female H. convergens can lay over 1000 eggs over the span of a few months during the spring or early summer. [3] In some populations, the beetles may undergo diapause if there are limited food resources to delay reproduction. [4]

H. convergens eat soft-bodied insects, with aphids being the primary food resource. [2] Aphids are a known pest, so the H. convergens has been used as a method to control aphids by releasing the beetles to act as a predator for the aphids. [5]

Range

Convergent lady beetles are native to North America, [1] but have also been found in South America after they were imported from California. [6] [7]

Habitat

H. convergens tend to be more successful and more likely to survive to adulthood in warmer temperatures. [1] In some areas, they gather on sunflower patches, having moved from wheat fields. They use the petioles of the sunflowers to hydrate, particularly in arid summer months. [4] They populate grasslands, forests, agricultural fields, gardens, and national parks. [2]

These beetles have been shown to have a lower temperature tolerance of 6.5°C (approximately 43°F) and an upper temperature tolerance of 50°C (approximately 122°F). [8] They have been found to achieve optimal reproductive and survival rates at 25.12°C (approximately 77°F) with a relative humidity of 63.78%. [9]

Life cycle

The female lady beetle lays 200 to 1000 eggs over several months during spring and early summer. [3] The eggs are small and spindle-shaped and are laid near the prey in upright batches of fifteen to thirty eggs. The larvae are dark and somewhat alligator-shaped. [3]

Once the larvae begin feeding, they grow quickly and molt four times over a period of up to a month. [10] Larvae generally move between plants by traveling across leaves. However, they are able to travel via soil if the leaves cannot be crossed. [11] The pupal stage lasts about a week and mating takes place soon after adult eclosion. If the food supply is abundant, the female may start laying within about a week of mating, but if it is scarce, she may wait for up to nine months. [10]

Upon reaching the adult stage, females feed on fats and proteins for a week. This increases the production of juvenile hormone, helping the ovaries mature. This hormone also causes a behavior that results in long distance migration. [12]

In the western United States, these beetles may spend up to nine months in diapause in large groups in mountain valleys. [3] Some populations have been shown to undergo diapause when nutrients are scarce, using limited food resources to develop fat bodies and postpone the onset of reproduction until they can find a consistent and sufficient food source. [4] During diapause, adult females are known to actively engage in flight. [13]

Diet

Convergent lady beetles adult aggregation Convergent Lady Beetle.JPG
Convergent lady beetles adult aggregation

Both larvae and adult H. convergens primarily consume aphids. They are active hunters, meaning that they mobilize and travel to hunt for their prey. This also means that the larvae do not rely on helpers at the very least to gather food, meaning that the larvae will start searching for prey almost immediately upon hatching. [2] The first larvae that hatch in each batch may start by eating the unhatched eggs. This may provide energy for the larvae before they find any aphids. Fourth-instar larvae may consume about fifty aphids per day and adults may eat about twenty. When aphids are scarce, the adults can eat honeydew, nectar and pollen or even petals and other soft parts of plants. [14]

H. convergens feed on other soft-bodied insects such as scales and thrips. They are also known to exhibit cannibalistic behaviors when food is especially scarce. [2]

Biological control

Convergent lady beetles have been used for augmentative biological control to temporarily increase predator numbers to control aphids. Because of the overwintering habits of non-reproductive adults, released beetles tend to quickly disperse from their release site. Adults released in enclosed settings such as greenhouses can contribute to lower aphid numbers. [5]

However, they tend to disperse before mating and laying eggs, so eggs are not left behind to hatch and continue the cycle of controlling the aphid population. This occurs even when live prey is still present. [12]

Beetles of this species used for biological control that are in a state of diapause have been known to not consume prey. [15]

This species was not included in the list of predatory insects usable for population control in the 2021 guidelines issued by the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. [16]

Natural enemies

Entomopathogenic fungi used as biopesticides such as Metarhizium anisopliae , Paecilomyces fumosoroseus , and Beauveria bassiana can infect larvae. [6] Infection by Beauveria bassiana in particular has been shown to affect the temperatures these beetles will tolerate. [8]

Geocoris bullatus and Nabis alternatus prey on H. convergens eggs. [2]

H. convergens may be a host for different invertebrate parasites such as Dinocampus coccinellae , Homalotylus terminalis , and Tetrapolipus hippodamiae . [17]

Related Research Articles

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<i>Hippodamia tredecimpunctata</i> Species of beetle

Hippodamia tredecimpunctata, commonly known as the thirteen-spot ladybeetle, is a species of lady beetle.

Coccinella novemnotata, the nine-spotted ladybug or nine-spotted lady beetle or C9, is a species of ladybug in the family Coccinellidae native to North America. This beetle was once ubiquitous across the continent but experienced a sharp and drastic decline around the 1960’s. Now, considered a rare species, the nine-spotted ladybug has received much attention from researchers who wish to understand the causes of its decline and restore the population of this charismatic beetle to benefit from their aphidophagous nature as biocontrol agents in agriculture.

<i>Coccinella septempunctata</i> Species of beetle

Coccinella septempunctata, the seven-spot ladybird, is a carnivorous beetle native to the Old World and is the most common ladybird in Europe. The beetle is also found in North America, Central and Eastern Asia and regions with a temperate climate. Its elytra are of a red colour, but each punctuated with three black spots, with one further spot being spread over the junction of the two, making a total of seven spots, from which the species derives both its common and scientific names.

<i>Hippodamia</i> (beetle) Genus of beetles

Hippodamia is a genus of ladybirds in the family Coccinellidae. It includes the most common native North American "ladybug", H. convergens, which can form overwintering aggregations numbering in the millions. Another notable member is Hippodamia variegata, which occurs widely over both the North and South Hemispheres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coccinellidae</span> Family of beetles

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<i>Coccinella undecimpunctata</i> Species of beetle

Coccinella undecimpunctata, the eleven-spot ladybird or eleven-spotted lady beetle, it is native to central Asia, though commonly found in Europe, and formerly North America as its populations are decreasing. It is of the family Coccinellidae, commonly referred to as ladybugs or lady beetles.

<i>Cryptolaemus montrouzieri</i> Beetle that eats pest mealybugs

Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, common name mealybug ladybird or mealybug destroyer, is a species of ladybird beetle native to eastern Australia. The beetle feeds on mealybugs and other scale insects, and is used to control those pests on citrus orchards worldwide.

<i>Calvia quatuordecimguttata</i> Species of beetle

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<i>Coleomegilla maculata</i> Species of beetle

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<i>Cycloneda sanguinea</i> Species of beetle

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<i>Anatis ocellata</i> Species of beetle

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<i>Eriopis connexa</i> Species of beetle

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<i>Olla v-nigrum</i> Species of beetle

Olla v-nigrum is a species in the family Coccinellidae, in the suborder Polyphaga. The species is known generally as the ashy gray lady beetle. The distribution range of Olla v-nigrum includes Central America, North America, and Oceania. It is usually gray or pale tan with small black spots on its elytra and thorax. However, a variation can resemble Chilocorus orbus, another species of lady beetle. This form is black with two red spots on the wing covers and has white on the edge of the prothorax.

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<i>Aleochara bilineata</i> Species of beetle

Aleochara bilineata is a species of rove beetle that lives in sub-tropical and cold tolerant climates throughout the world. This beetle was first biologically described by Wadsworth in 1915. It is used by humans as crop pest control due to the variety of pests it consumes, including caterpillars, mealybugs, mites, maggots. These beetles have a larval phase that occurs over the winter and an adult phase that emerges in the spring. They are often found in moist environments, in compost, or near crops.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Obrycki, John J.; Tauber, Maurice J. (November 15, 1982). "Thermal Requirements for Development of Hippodamia convergens (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)". Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 75 (6): 678–683. doi:10.1093/aesa/75.6.678. ISSN   1938-2901 . Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Aristizábal, Luis F.; Arthurs, Steven P. (September 21, 2021). "Convergent Lady Beetle Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville (Insecta: Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)". University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences . Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Hippodamia convergens | (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) | Convergent Lady Beetle". Cornell University . Archived from the original on October 19, 2000. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 Michaud, J.P.; Qureshi, Jawwad A. (November 2006). "Reproductive diapause in Hippodamia convergens (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and its life history consequences". Biological Control. 39 (2): 193–200. Bibcode:2006BiolC..39..193M. doi:10.1016/j.biocontrol.2006.04.004. hdl: 2097/13513 . ISSN   1049-9644.
  5. 1 2 Obrycki, John J.; Harwood, James D.; Kring, Timothy J.; O'Neil, Robert J. (November 2009). "Aphidophagy by Coccinellidae: Application of biological control in agroecosystems". Biological Control. 51 (2): 244–254. Bibcode:2009BiolC..51..244O. doi:10.1016/j.biocontrol.2009.05.009.
  6. 1 2 Obrycki, John J.; Kring, Timothy J. (January 1998). "Predaceous Coccinellidae in Biological Control". Annual Review of Entomology. 43 (1): 295–321. doi:10.1146/annurev.ento.43.1.295. PMID   15012392.
  7. ↑ Obrycki, John J.; Krafsur, Elliot S.; Bogran, Carlos E.; Gomez, Luis E.; Cave, Ronald E. (2001). "Comparative Studies of Three Populations of the Lady Beetle Predator Hippodamia convergens (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)". The Florida Entomologist. 84 (1): 55–62. doi:10.2307/3496663. hdl: 1969.1/182788 . ISSN   0015-4040. JSTOR   3496663 . Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  8. 1 2 Porras, Mitzy F.; Agudelo-Cantero, Gustavo A.; Santiago-Martínez, M. Geovanni; Navas, Carlos A.; et al. (November 5, 2021). "Fungal infections lead to shifts in thermal tolerance and voluntary exposure to extreme temperatures in both prey and predator insects". Scientific Reports. 11: 21710. Bibcode:2021NatSR..1121710P. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-00248-z . PMC   8571377 . PMID   34741040. S2CID   241664136.
  9. ↑ Sánchez-Antezana, Claudia Alicia; Narrea-Cango, Mónica; Iannacone, José (April 19, 2022). "Biologies, capcidad predatory and behavemiento of Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Meneville, 1842 (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) as biological controller of Aphis spirae Patch, 1914 (Hemiptera: Aphididae) en conments of laboratory" [Biology, predatory capacity and behavior of Hippodamia convergens Guérin- Meneville, 1842 (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) as biological controller of Aphis spiraecola Patch, 1914 (Hemiptera: Aphididae) under laboratory conditions]. Revista SUSTINERE (in Portuguese). 10 (Primeira Edição Suplementar): 105–129. doi: 10.12957/sustinere.2022.65871 . S2CID   248257406.
  10. 1 2 Balduf, W. V. (1935). The Bionomics of Entomophagous Coleoptera. St. Louis, MO: John S. Swift Co.
  11. ↑ Purandare, Swapna R.; Tenhumberg, Brigitte (June 2012). "Influence of aphid honeydew on the foraging behaviour of Hippodamia convergens larvae". Ecological Entomology. 37 (3): 184–192. Bibcode:2012EcoEn..37..184P. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2311.2012.01351.x. ISSN   0307-6946.
  12. 1 2 Flint, Mary Louise; Dreistadt, Steve H. (July 2005). "Interactions among convergent lady beetle (Hippodamia convergens) releases, aphid populations, and rose cultivar". Biological Control. 34 (1): 38–46. Bibcode:2005BiolC..34...38F. doi:10.1016/j.biocontrol.2005.03.019. ISSN   1049-9644 . Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  13. ↑ Nadeau, Emily A. W.; Lecheta, Melise C.; Obrycki, John J.; Teets, Nicholas M. (March 31, 2022). "Transcriptional Regulation of Reproductive Diapause in the Convergent Lady Beetle, Hippodamia convergens". Insects. 13 (4): 343. doi: 10.3390/insects13040343 . PMC   9026804 . PMID   35447785. S2CID   247897328.
  14. ↑ Hagen, Kenneth S. (1960). "Biological Control with Lady Beetles". Plants and Gardens: The Brooklyn Botanic Garden Record. 16 (3): 28–35.
  15. ↑ Davis, James R.; Kirkland, Reed L. (1982). "Physiological and Environmental Factors Related to the Dispersal Flight of the Convergent Lady Beetle, Hippodamia convergens (Guerin-Meneville)". Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society . 55 (1): 187–196. JSTOR   25084275.as cited inTeets, Nicholas M.; Marshall, Katie E.; Reynolds, Julie A. (October 7, 2022). "Molecular Mechanisms of Winter Survival". Annual Review of Entomology . 68: 319–339. doi: 10.1146/annurev-ento-120120-095233 . PMID   36206770.
  16. ↑ LeBeck, Lynn M.; Leppla, Norman C. (2021). "2021 Guidelines for Purchasing and Using Commercial Natural Enemies and Biopesticides in North America". University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences . Archived from the original on May 8, 2021. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  17. ↑ Bjørnson, S. (March 2008). "Natural enemies of the convergent lady beetle, Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville: Their inadvertent importation and potential significance for augmentative biological control". Biological Control. 44 (3): 305–311. Bibcode:2008BiolC..44..305B. doi:10.1016/j.biocontrol.2007.10.001. ISSN   1049-9644.
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