Occurrence of aphid predator species in both organic and conventional corn and broad bean

Organic farming has been suggested to enhance beneficial species abundance and diversity in agrosystem habitats. In this study, the abundance of aphid predators was compared in organic and conventional corn and broad bean fields during a two-year inventory. In both farming strategies, there were no differences between species diversity. Five aphid predator species were mainly observed: Coccinella septempunctata L. 1758 (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Propylea quatuordecimpunctata (L. 1758) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Harmonia axyridis Pallas 1773 (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens 1836) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and Episyrphus balteatus (De Geer 1776) (Diptera: Syrphidae). Differences in abundance of aphidophagous species between conventional and organic crop fields were observed even if not always in favour of the latter condition. The abundance of the five above- mentioned aphidophagous species varied for the most part according to almost all the observed parameters, including sampled year, crop and agricultural practices. In conclusion, our findings do not support organic practices in corn and broad bean as key options to increase the biodiversity and abundance of aphid natural enemies.Peer reviewe

The harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis: global perspectives on invasion history and ecology

The harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), is native to Asia but has been intentionally introduced to many countries as a biological control agent of pest insects. In numerous countries, however, it has been introduced unintentionally. The dramatic spread of H. axyridis within many countries has been met with considerable trepidation. It is a generalist top predator, able to thrive in many habitats and across wide climatic conditions. It poses a threat to biodiversity, particularly aphidophagous insects, through competition and predation, and in many countries adverse effects have been reported on other species, particularly coccinellids. However, the patterns are not consistent around the world and seem to be affected by many factors including landscape and climate. Research on H. axyridis has provided detailed insights into invasion biology from broad patterns and processes to approaches in surveillance and monitoring. An impressive number of studies on this alien species have provided mechanistic evidence alongside models explaining large-scale patterns and processes. The involvement of citizens in monitoring this species in a number of countries around the world is inspiring and has provided data on scales that would be otherwise unachievable. Harmonia axyridis has successfully been used as a model invasive alien species and has been the inspiration for global collaborations at various scales. There is considerable scope to expand the research and associated collaborations, particularly to increase the breadth of parallel studies conducted in the native and invaded regions. Indeed a qualitative comparison of biological traits across the native and invaded range suggests that there are differences which ultimately could influence the population dynamics of this invader. Here we provide an overview of the invasion history and ecology of H. axyridis globally with consideration of future research perspectives. We reflect broadly on the contributions of such research to our understanding of invasion biology while also informing policy and people

Evaluation des populations d'ennemis naturels de pucerons dans les agroécosystèmes, avec une attention particulière pour la coccinelle asiatique Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

The international trade of goods and food can lead to the introduction of alien species in the importing countries. Even if in the most cases there is no negative impact induced by alien species, in some cases the new imported species can spread out of control. These species can cause economical and ecological damages. The Multicoloured Asian ladybird Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is one of these species which was intentionally introduced for biological control and has spread from its native range in Central and Eastern Asia to large parts of North and South America, Europe and Africa. The decline of native species is linked to the spread and the aggressive behaviour of H. axyridis. The objective of this thesis is the evaluation of aphid's predator population densities and predator diversities, with a special focus on H. axyridis in agroecosystems in Wallonia, in the South of Belgium. First, field crops preferences of H. axyridis were determined. Later aphid's predator population changes during time were evaluated. Finally H. axyridis population changes between two crop farming were evaluated. Our main findings were as follows. Results, based on insects collected since 2001, highlighted that the first collected H. axyridis was in 2002 and the population of H. axyridis is increasing until 2008. In the same time population of Adalia bipunctata, Propylea quatuordecimpunctata and Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata, three native species, are decreasing. Samplings in agroecosystems highlighted that aphid's predator community is composed of few dominant species: three coccinellids Coccinella septempunctata, P. quatuordecimpunctata and H. axyridis, one syrphid Episyrphus balteatus and one chrysopid Chrysoperla carnea. We have shown that H. axyridis do not invade all Wallonia crops at the same rate because corn and broad bean are more invaded that wheat and potato at both larval and adult stages. Moreover in corn, H. axyridis populations has strongly increased from 2009 to 2011. Finally, organic farming do not enhance abundance of H. axyridis but lead to increase the total abundance of aphid natural enemies

Impact of Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on the survival rates of other aphidophagous species in semi-field conditions

The multicoloured Asian ladybird Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), previously introduced as a biological control agent against aphids, is now frequently considered as an intraguild predator, consuming other aphid natural enemies. Interactions between this exotic ladybird and other aphidophagous species present in Belgian agro-ecosystems such as Coccinella septempunctata, Episyrphus balteatus and Chrysoperla carnea are asymmetric to the benefit of H. axyridis. This study focuses on the survival rate of three aphidophagous species Harmonia axyridis (Ha), Coccinella septempunctata (C7) and Episyrphus balteatus (Eb) placed in cages in biological fields of potato and sugar beet. During June and July, hermetic cages were disposed on the crops with 10 larvae (second stage) of each aphidophagous. Four types of cages were observed (1) Ha+Eb+C7+ aphids, (2) Ha+Eb+C7, (3) Eb+C7+ aphids and (4) Eb+C7. Each combination was repeated three times. In sugar beet fields, E. balteatus was the species with the highest mortality rate. The two coccinellid species had a better survival rate than E. balteatus. All aphidophagous species had higher mortality rates in absence of aphids. In potato, when aphids were present in excess, the survival rates of all aphidophagous insects were lower than in sugar beet probably because A. fabae is less adapted to the potato morphology. Nevertheless, we have observed in potato no mortality of C. 7-punctata during all its development cycle. This suggests that (1) C. 7-punctata may use aphids as food sources more efficiently than H. axyridis and (2) that interactions between aphidophagous could be less frequent (difficulty of mobility). In potato and sugar beet, H. axyridis had the longest development cycle, being still at the larval stage when C. 7-punctata and E. balteatus reached the pupae stage. We can suppose that pupae of E. balteatus and C. 7-punctata were an alternative food (intraguild prey) to H. axyridis when aphids were lacking. Pupae are immobile and therefore more sensitive to the attack of predators.Evaluation de l'impact des invasions de coccinelles asiatiques sur l'agriculture wallonne et prise en considération dans les programmes de lutte intégré

Diversité des habitats de la coccinelle asiatique Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera : Coccinellidae) au sein des différents écosystèmes agricoles et forestiers (synthèse bibliographique).

The Multicolored Asian ladybeetle, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), native to Asia, is an invasive species in many European and American countries. Initially introduced as a biological control agent against aphids and coccids in greenhouses, this alien species rapidly invaded many habitats such as forests, meadows, wetlands, and agricultural crops. This paper reviews the habitats (forests, crops, herbs, gardens and orchards) where H. axyridis has been observed, either during insect samplings or as part of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs. Studies have referenced H. axyridis on 106 plant taxa (35 arboreal species, 21 crop species, 27 herbaceous species, 11 ornamental species, and 12 orchard species) and have identified 89 plant- prey relationships (34 arboreal species, 16 crop species, 13 herbaceous species, 10 ornamental species, and 16 orchard species) in different countries. Harmonia axyridis is more abundant in forest areas, principally on Acer, Salix, Tilia and Quercus, than in agroecosystems. Some plant species, such as Urtica dioica L., which surround crops, contain large numbers of H. axyridis and could constitute important reserves of this alien species in advance of aphid invasions into crops. This review highlights the polyphagy and eurytopic aspect of H. axyridis.Evaluation de l'impact des invasions de coccinelles asiatiques sur l'agriculture wallonn

Evolution des populations de coccinelles indigènes et de l’espèce exotique, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), en Wallonie et en région de Bruxelles-Capitale

Un inventaire des Coccinellidae présents au sein de la collection de l’unité d’Entomologie fonctionnelle et évolutive (ULg - Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech) a été réalisé sur la période s’étendant de 2001 à 2009. Cette collection est essentiellement constituée par les récoltes des étudiants de première Bachelier de Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech. A travers ce recensement, nous avons étudié l’évolution des espèces récoltées au sein de cette famille en termes d’effectif relatif et de richesse spécifique. Notre étude s’est focalisée sur les données issues de Wallonie et de la Région de Bruxelles-Capitale, trop peu de collectes ayant été réalisées en Flandres. Parmi les individus identifiés, 27 espèces ont été observées, dont 21 appartiennent à la sous-famille des Coccinellinae, 2 à celle des Epilachninae et 4 à celle des Chilocorinae. La plupart des espèces sont communes à la Belgique. Cependant, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas 1773), espèce originaire du sud-est de l’Asie, a été introduite sur le territoire belge en 1997. Cette coccinelle exotique fait son apparition dans les récoltes de 2002 et son effectif ne cesse d’augmenter au fil des années prospectées. En parallèle à cette augmentation, une diminution de la richesse spécifique, ainsi que de l’effectif relatif d’Adalia bipunctata (L. 1758), de Propylea quatuordecimpunctata (L. 1758) et de Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata (L. 1758), est observée. Le lien possible entre ces évolutions est discuté.An inventory of the Coccinellidae present in the collection of the Department of functional and evolutionary Entomology (ULg - Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech) was performed on the period extending from 2001 to 2009. This collection is essentially made up of insects collected by first year students. The aim of this work is to assess the evolution of the species belonging to this family with special interest in their relative amount and the species richness. This study was focused on the data from Wallonia and Brussels-Capital Region (Belgium), not enough insects having been collected in Flanders. Among the identified individuals, 27 species were observed, including 21 belonging to the subfamily of Coccinellinae, 2 to Epilachninae and 4 to Chilocorinae. Most of the species are native to Belgium. However, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas 1773), an exotic species coming from the South-East of Asia, was introduced in Belgium in 1997. This alien ladybird was firstly collected by the students in 2002 and the amount of collected individuals does not cease increasing until 2009. By contrast, a decrease of species richness, as well as the relative amount of Adalia bipunctata (L. 1758), Propylea quatuordecimpunctata (L. 1758) and Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata (L. 1758), is highlighted. The link between these evolutions is discussed

Occurrence de la coccinelle asiatique (Harmonia axyridis Pallas), espèce invasive, dans les agro-habitats en 2009

La lutte contre les pucerons de manière biologique consiste entre autre à utiliser des insectes prédateurs de pucerons tels que les coccinelles. En Belgique un des auxiliaires le plus utilisé est la coccinelle à deux points (Adalia bipunctata) mais en 1997, les horticulteurs ont introduit la coccinelle asiatique (Harmonia axyridis) afin de lutter plus efficacement contre les pucerons. Cette coccinelle invasive s'est rapidement répandue dans toute la Belgique et à travers l'Europe. Afin d'évaluer son impact sur l'entomofaune des milieux agricoles, nous avons réalisé un inventaire des aphidiphages présent sur 10 sites réparti en Wallonie. Deux méthodes d'échantillonnage ont été utilisées: (1) l'utilisation de pièges collant et (2) l'observation visuelle dans des quadras d'1m². Après 10 semaines d'inventaire, nous pouvons conclure que pour l'année 2009, la coccinelle asiatique est la coccinelle la plus abondante dans les agro-écosystèmes wallons. Les cultures préférentielles dans lesquelles la coccinelle invasive a été la plus abondante sont la pomme de terre biologique et le maïs. Culture où la quantité de puceron n'est pas forcement la plus élevée. La période de reproduction de la coccinelle asiatique se situe à la mi-juillet, période d'abondance de proies dans les cultures étudiées.Évaluation de l’impact des invasions de coccinelles asiatiques sur l’agriculture wallonne et prise en considération dans les programmes de lutte intégré