Food Resource Exploitation in Ladybirds:Consequences of Prey Species and Size

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.