Biology and Evaluation of Certain Predators of Therioaphis maculata (Buckton)1

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Abstract
Eleven species representing five families of common native predators of the spotted alfalfa aphid, Therioaphis maculata (Buck.), were investigated to determine their beneficial effects in the Manhattan, Kansas, area. Life histories, daily feeding rates on different sizes of aphids and field populations were determined for most immature and adult predators. A comparison was made of warm and cold temperature effects on predator feeding. A relative value of the predators in the field was determined by multiplying the average daily consumption of aphids times the field populations. A lady beetle, Hippodamia convergens G.-M., was the most important of all insects studied. Chrysopidae (green lacewings), Anthocoridae (minute pirate bugs), Nabidae (damsel bugs) and Syrphidae (flower flies), in that order, were next most efficient following coccinellids. Low field populations were the primary reason for lower efficiency of the latter groups.

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