Predation Among Aphidophpgous Insect Larave

Predation Among Aphidophagous Insect Larvae Investigations on the predation among aphidophagous insect larvae were carried out in the laboratory in 1966. The materials used for experiments were one species of Chrysopidae, five species of Syrphidae and five species of Coccinellidae. The Chrysopa septempunctata larvae of both the same and different instar attacked each other. In the Syrphidae, predation took place between two of the same instar larvae of the same species as well as between two of both the same and different instar larvae of different species. In the Coccinellidae, cannibalism took place between two of the same instar larvae of the same species. Besides, the relationships of predation among Chrysopidae, Syrphidae and Coccinellidae are discussed. Predation took place, with a few exceptions, between Chrysopidae and Cocinellidae, the former exceeding the latter in attacking power with the result that the full grown larvae of the former overwhelmingly devoured those of the latter. Predation occrred between Chrysopidae and Syrphidae as well. Both the younger and full grown larvae of the former exceeded the latter in attackingp ower. Generally speaking, among the larvae of these three families observed in this experiment, Chrysopidae could be said the strongest of them all in attacking power. Coccinellidae may rank second to Chrysopidae, Syrphidae being the poorest predator