Threat of Infection and Threat-Avoidance Behavior in the Predator Dicyphus hesperus Feeding on Whitefly Nymphs Infected with an Entomopathogen

摘要: The nature and severity of intraguild interactions between predators entomopathogens will be determined, in part, by a combination threat infection, avoidance that the predator. We determined infection posed entomopathogen, Paecilomyces fumosoroseus (as PFR-97™) to generalist predator, Dicyphus hesperus. then asked if D. hesperus displays behavioral while foraging for whitefly nymphs at different stages pathogen. When exposed leaf surfaces treated with pathogen, 28% adult female died due infection. Consumption Ephestia kuehniella eggs surviving over 6 d was significantly reduced, suggesting effects sublethal Whitefly had been P. 3 prior were acceptable as prey but 5 days not. nymphs, females rejected infected 96% time, compared 39% non-infected nymphs. therefore presents measurable through mortality reduced consumption. does not avoid initial contact feed on such prey. mechanism underlying these rejections could either or rejection already consumed infectious agent. These results suggest predation among under greenhouse natural conditions pathogenicity efficiency foraging.