A survey of insects associated with Ageratum conyzoides L. (Compositae), with emphasis on trophic relationships

Date

4-1982

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Biology

College

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Victor P. Gapud

Abstract

In a survey of insects and related arthropods associated with Ageratum conyzoides L. in the Mt. Makiling area, thirty-one species of phytophagous and predaceous insects and spiders were observed. The four most abundant species were Aphis gossypii Glover, Phaneroptera furcifera Stal, Coptorhynchus Branosus Bohem. and Zonothrips sp., in that order.

The remaining insects consisted of pollen feeders (2 species of thrips, 1 halictid species); chewing leaf feeders (1 noctuid species, 2 orthopterous species); sucking leaf and shoot feeders (2 aphid species); flower feeders (a geometrid species) and several insects with undetermined trophic relationships (2 bug species, 1 frogopper species, 1 drosophilid species, 1 ichneumonid species). The observed aphidophagous species were Epistrophe balteata (Degeer) and Helopitus sp., a coccinellid species and a hemerobiid species.

General predators, which include Ischnobaena sp. (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), Hierodula sp. (Mantodea: Mantidae) and spiders representing 4 families, were also observed to be associated with Ageratum conyzoides.

Based on the survey, a theoretical food web diagram was constructed. None of the organisms seemed to have any potential as a biological control agent against the weed.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

Thesis

Document Type

Thesis

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