Characterization of the earwig, Doru lineare, as a predator of larvae of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda: A functional response study

Mabel Romero Sueldo1a, Octavio A. Bruzzone2b, and Eduardo G. Virla3c

1 Sección Entomología, Fundación Miguel Lillo. M. Lillo 250 3er piso (CP 4000), S.M. de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina
2 Laboratorio de Ecología de Insectos, INTA, EEA Bariloche. (8400) Bariloche, Rio Negro, Argentina
3 PROIMI-Biotecnología, Div. Control Biológico, Av. Belgrano y Pje. Caseros (T4001 MVB), San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina

Abstract

Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is considered as the most important pest of maize in almost all tropical America. In Argentina, the earwig Doru lineare Eschscholtz (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) has been observed preying on S. frugiperda egg masses in corn crops, but no data about its potential role as a biocontrol agent of this pest have been provided. The predation efficiency of D. lineare on newly emerged S. frugiperda larva was evaluated through a laboratory functional response study. D. lineare showed type II functional response to S. frugiperda larval density, and disc equation estimations of searching efficiency and handling time were (a) = 0.374 and (t) = 182.9 s, respectively. Earwig satiation occurred at 39.4 S. frugiperda larvae.

Keywords: Abehavior, biological control, handling time, predation efficiency

Correspondence: a romerosueldo@hotmail.com, b okktawio@yahoo.com.ar, c cevirla@proimi.org.ar

Received: 22 May 2007 | Accepted: 16 October 2008 | Published: 27 April 2010

ISSN: 1536-2442 | Volume 10, Number 38

Sueldo MR, Bruzzone OA, Virla EG. 2010. Characterization of the earwig, Doru lineare, as a predator of larvae of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda: A functional response study 8pp. Journal of Insect Science 10:38, available online: insectscience.org/10.38


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