Ormond, E. L.

Pell, J. K.

Roy, H. E.

Thomas, A. P. M.

English

NERC Open Research Archive

Detection and avoidance of Beauveria  bassiana by seven spot ladybirds Coccinella septempunctata   Adult seven spot-ladybirds (Coccinella septempunctata) spend the winter months in a dormant state, overwintering in the leaf litter. The insect-pathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana is a significant winter mortality agent of C. septempuncata. Most ladybirds form aggregations during the winter months however some individuals spend the winter alone. Pathogen theory indicates that transmission and hence mortality will increase as host density increases, for example in aggregations. However, contrary to these theoretical predictions our studies demonstrated that individuals overwintering alone were more likely to succumb to B. bassiana infection than those in aggregations. Through a series of laboratory bioassays we assessed the ability of C. septempunctata to detect the presence of B. bassiana on soil, leaves and conspecifics. Here we discuss the results and hypothesise that ladybirds can assess and react to environmental cues that relate to mortality risks such as high pathogen density. 

Detection and avoidance of Beauveria bassiana by seven spot ladybirds, Coccinella septempunctata

http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/1149/1/OrmondDetection.pdf

Detection and avoidance of Beauveria bassiana by seven spot ladybirds, Coccinella septempunctata

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