Predation Ability and Preference of Arma chinensis against Helicoverpa armigera Larvae

CHEN Junhua; LI Feifan; DU Yueqing; XIE Jiaxin; ZHANG Qiaoqiao; WANG Chenxu; GUO Shibao

doi:10.15933/j.cnki.1004-3268.2025.01.011

Abstract：To explore the biological control potential of Arma chinensis on Helicoverpa armigera larvae,we measured the predatory functional responses and search effects of 3rd-4th instar A.chinensis nymphs and female adults on 2nd-4th instar H.armigera larvae under controlled indoor conditions.We also investigated the intraspecific interference effects of 5th instar A.chinensis nymphs,as well as male and female adults,on predation of 2nd instar H.armigera,along with the predation preferences of female A.chinensis adults for 3rd instar H.armigera larvae versus Tenebrio molitor pupae.The results indicated that both nymphs of the 3rd and 4th instars and female adults were capable of preying on 2nd-4th instar H.armigera,with their predatory response conforming to Holling's type Ⅱ model.The control efficiency across different developmental stages of A.chinensis was ranked as follows:female adults＞4th instar nymphs＞3rd instar nymphs.Notably,the amount preyed upon by individuals of the same age decreased as prey age increased,with maximum daily predation rates recorded at 36.778 for female adults,28.351 for 4th instar nymphs,and 26.938 for 3rd instar nymphs targeting 2nd instar H.armigera,which demonstrated that female adults exhibited the highest predation capacity against these larvae.Furthermore,our findings revealed that search efficiency improved as prey density decreased,while intraspecific interference among A.chinensis was influenced by their own density in the following order:5th instar nymphs＞male adults＞female adults.Regarding predation preference,when both T.molitor pupae and 3rd instar H.armigera larvae were present,A.chinensis showed a stronger inclination to prey on the pupae.These insights provide a valuable foundation for future research into indoor propagation strategies for enhancing the biological control capabilities of A.chinensis.