Prey Preference in Stethorus punctum (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

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Abstract
Stethorus punctum (LeConte) is an obligate predator of tetranychid mites. Laboratory studies were conducted to determine feeding preference of S. punctum at varying densities of Panonychus ulmi (Koch) and Tetranychus urticae Koch. Using the Strauss linear index of prey selection, S. punctum was found to have a weak but consistent preference (among individuals) for T. urticae following preconditioning to this species, but no preference was elicited when the beetle was conditioned to P. ulmi. Following conditioning of beetle larvae to T. urticae, newly eclosed (behaviorly naive) adult beetles showed a slight but nonsignificant preference for T. urticae.