Abstract
Larval and adult predators comprise the largest component of the natural enemy fauna which attack the semi-aquatic rice caseworm Nymphula depunctalis (Guenée). Spiders, birds, and adult dragonflies/damselflies were the dominant predators of caseworm adults, while aquatic beetle larvae, aquatic bug nymphs and adults, and ants preyed on caseworm larvae. Egg parasitolds are unknown in nature and larval/pupal parasitoids are rare. A nuclear polyhedrosis virus, the only recorded pathogen, occurs but rarely. A ricefield pulmonate snail Lymnaea quadrasi (Mollendorff), which forages on algae, causes limited caseworm egg mortality in a passive and fortuitous manner. Water beetles—the dytiscid Cybister tripunctatus orientalis Gschwendtner and hydrophilid Sternolophus rufipes Fabricius—are voracious larval predators. Prey consumption by these water beetles is higher on older caseworm larvae whose larger size creates more movement while the larvae are crossing the water surface. Also, older caseworms are more prone to leave the protection of their cases while under attack. Younger caseworm larvae, however, tend to retract and remain motionless when attacked. The last instar dytiscid preyed on an average of 11.4 caseworm larvae per day while that of the hydrophilid preyed on 6.7 larvae per day.
Résumé
Les predateurs de larves et d’adultes constituent la composante principale des ennemies naturels de Nymphula (Nymphula depunctalis Guenée). Les araignées, les oiseaux et les libellules sont les principaux prédateurs d’adultes, tandis que les Coléopters aquatiques, les punaises d’eau, et les fourmis attaquent les larves. II n’y a pas de parasites d’oeufs connus dans la nature, et les parasites de larves/pupes sont rares. Une polyèdrose nucléaire virulante existe, mais est rarement trouvée. Un escargot pulmoné de rizière (Lymnaea quadrasi Mollendorf), qui se nourrit d’algues constitue indirectement une cause mineure et fortuite de mortalité pour les oeufs. Les Coléopters aquatiques(le dysticide Cybistes tripunctatus orientalis Gschwendtner et l’hydrophilide Sternolophus rufipes Fabricius) sont des prédateurs de larves particulièrement actifs. La predation par ces Coléopters aquatiques est plus importante sur les larves âgées, qui par leur taille provoquent des turbulences plus importantes lors de leurs mouvements sur la surface le l’eau, et qui ont tendance a quitter facilement leurs abris. Les larve plus jeunes ont tendance à s’y retirer et à rester immobiles lorsqu’elles sont attaquées. C. tripunctatus orientalis au dernier stade larvaire a une activité prédatrice plus élevée que celle des S. rufipes.
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Litsenger, J.A., Chantaraprapha, N., Barrion, A.T. et al. Natural Enemies of the Rice Caseworm Nymphula Depunctalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Int J Trop Insect Sci 15, 261–268 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400017550
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400017550