Current Science

Desh Deepak Chaudhary ¹, Bhupendra Kumar ¹, Geetanjali Mishra ¹, Omkar ¹

Affiliations
1 Ladybird Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow 226 007, IN

Abstract

In the present study, preference between larger and smaller instars of Acyrthosiphon pisum and Aphis craccivora by small and large female variants of ladybirds Menochilus sexmaculatus and Propylea dissecta has been investigated. Results reveal that both ladybird species consumed smaller prey, A. craccivora over larger prey, A. pisum when kept individually and/or in combination. Although small and large female variants of both ladybird species consumed smaller and larger instars of A. craccivora respectively, they preferred smaller instars of A. pisum. Similar results were also recorded within combinations. Thus, food resource exploitation in both ladybirds is due to both prey species and size.

Keywords

Aphids, Food Resource Exploitation, Ladybirds, Prey Species and Size Resource Polymorphism.

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Bhupendra Kumar ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, IN

Abstract

Insects are affected by a diverse combination of viruses. Majority of the viruses affecting insects are hostspecific and non-pathogenic to humans. While blood-sucking insects do not transmit COVID-19, those feeding on human and animal wastes like houseflies and cockroaches may be capable of transmitting SARSCoV- 2 coronavirus. However, studies monitoring adhesion capacity, permanence and active dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in houseflies and cockroaches are yet to be assessed. Further studies are needed to explore the transmission and pathogenicity mechanism of COVID-19 by different insect vectors.

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