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29 February 2012 Multi–predator Effects Produced by Functionally Distinct Species Vary with Prey Density
Ben P. Werling, David M. Lowenstein, Cory S. Straub, Claudio Gratton
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Abstract

Determining when multiple predator species provide better pest suppression than single species is a key step towards developing ecologically—informed biological control strategies. Theory and experiments predict that resource partitioning among functionally different predator species can strengthen prey suppression, because as a group they can access more prey types than functionally redundant predators. However, this prediction assumes that competition limits predation by functionally similar predators. Differences in prey density can alter the strength of competition, suggesting that prey abundance may modulate the effect of combining functionally diverse species. The experiment documented here examined the potential for functional differences among predator species to promote suppression of an insect pest, the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), at different prey densities. Predation was compared at two prey densities between microcosms that contained one predator species or two functionally distinct species: the lady beetle, Coleomegilla maculata De Geer (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) that kills early L. decemlineata instars, and the soldier bug, Podisus maculiventris Say (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) that kills late instars. The data show that combining these predators increased predation only when prey densities were low. This suggests that multiple predator species may only provide greater biological control than single species in systems where prey is limiting.

This is an open access paper. We use the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license that permits unrestricted use, provided that the paper is properly attributed.
Ben P. Werling, David M. Lowenstein, Cory S. Straub, and Claudio Gratton "Multi–predator Effects Produced by Functionally Distinct Species Vary with Prey Density," Journal of Insect Science 12(30), 1-7, (29 February 2012). https://doi.org/10.1673/031.012.3001
Received: 20 April 2011; Accepted: 1 January 2012; Published: 29 February 2012
KEYWORDS
biodiversity
biological control
Colorado potato beetle
functional diversity
Leptinotarsa decemlineata
natural enemy
resource partitioning
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