Picromerus bidens (Heteroptera : Pentatomidae) as predator of the Checkerspot Euphydryas aurinia (Lepidoptera : Nymphalidae)

0030110 - ENTU-I 2006 RIV FI eng J - Journal Article
Konvička, Martin - Hůla, V. - Fric, Zdeněk
Picromerus bidens (Heteroptera : Pentatomidae) as predator of the Checkerspot Euphydryas aurinia (Lepidoptera : Nymphalidae).
[Picromerus bidens jako predátor hnědáska chrastavcového.]
Entomologica Fennica. Roč. 16, č. 4 (2005), s. 233-236. ISSN 0785-8760
R&D Projects: GA AV ČR(CZ) KJB6007306; GA ČR(CZ) GD206/03/H034
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z50070508
Keywords : Euphydrias aurinia
Subject RIV: EH - Ecology, Behaviour
Impact factor: 0.523, year: 2005

The predatory bug Picromerus bidens is reported as a regular predator of the Marsh Fritillary Euphydryas aurinia from the region of western Bohemia, Czech Republic. Adult bugs attack pre-diapause larvae, either exposed or hidden in protective silken webs, and exhibit efficient behaviour, including returning to previously attacked webs. We observed predation in six out of 28 and eleven out of 21 local populations in 2003 and 2004, respectively. In addition, we observed two attacks by nymphs on handicapped adult butterflies. Predation of Melitaeinae by Heteroptera seems to be a widespread phenomenon, and R bidens can act as a substantial mortality factor in small colonies of E. aurinia.

Ploštice Picromerus bidenc byla opakovaně nalezena jako predátor hnědáska chrastavcového. Dospělé ploštice útočily na housenky před diapausou, a to i na ukryté v hedvábných hnízdech. Pozorovali jsme i dva útoky na dospělé motýly, kteří nebyli schopní letu.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0119881