Predatory dynamics in susceptible and resistant $\textit{Eriopis connexa}$ populations

Fuente: arXiv
Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Maciel, Anna Mara Ferreira, Palma, Gabriel Rodrigues, Anjos, Lucas dos, Canuto, Lucas Santos, Godoy, Wesley Augusto Conde, Moral, Rafael de Andrade
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
Subjects:
Online Access:
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1866910924906954752
author Maciel, Anna Mara Ferreira
Palma, Gabriel Rodrigues
Anjos, Lucas dos
Canuto, Lucas Santos
Godoy, Wesley Augusto Conde
Moral, Rafael de Andrade
author_facet Maciel, Anna Mara Ferreira
Palma, Gabriel Rodrigues
Anjos, Lucas dos
Canuto, Lucas Santos
Godoy, Wesley Augusto Conde
Moral, Rafael de Andrade
contents The ladybird $\textit{Eriopis connexa}$ (Germar, 1824), a voracious aphid predator, faces challenges from insecticide applications, compromising biological control. As a result, there has been an increase in the number of studies analysing the resistance and susceptibility of ladybirds. Some studies have found that resistant populations exhibit distinct predation and foraging behaviour compared to susceptible ones. This study models the population dynamics of resistant and susceptible $\textit{E. connexa}$ preying on $\textit{Aphis gossypii}$ Glover, 1877 and $\textit{Myzus persicae}$ (Sulzer, 1776). We constructed a logistic model with density dependence and type-II functional response to analyse predation dynamics, incorporating bifurcation analysis on predation parameters (attack rate and handling time) and the mortality rate of susceptible ladybirds. We simulated scenarios with/without insecticide application and with/without aphid resistance. To simulate the effects of insecticide applications, the parameters related to aphids' intrinsic growth rate ($r_1$ and $r_2$) change to reflect the responses of susceptible and resistant populations. The same approach is used concerning the mortality rate of ladybirds ($d_2$ and $d_3$). Our results demonstrate that mortality, attack rate, and handling time are critical in shaping predator-prey interactions. Temporal simulations revealed fluctuating abundances, highlighting the fragility of these interactions under insecticide stress. Therefore, this study contributes to understanding the ecological implications of insecticides, which disrupt natural predation dynamics, and shows how variations in behavioural rates can impact prey control. This research demonstrated the importance of integrated strategies that balance insecticide applications with preserving natural enemies and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2505_00644
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Predatory dynamics in susceptible and resistant $\textit{Eriopis connexa}$ populations
Maciel, Anna Mara Ferreira
Palma, Gabriel Rodrigues
Anjos, Lucas dos
Canuto, Lucas Santos
Godoy, Wesley Augusto Conde
Moral, Rafael de Andrade
Populations and Evolution
Quantitative Methods
The ladybird $\textit{Eriopis connexa}$ (Germar, 1824), a voracious aphid predator, faces challenges from insecticide applications, compromising biological control. As a result, there has been an increase in the number of studies analysing the resistance and susceptibility of ladybirds. Some studies have found that resistant populations exhibit distinct predation and foraging behaviour compared to susceptible ones. This study models the population dynamics of resistant and susceptible $\textit{E. connexa}$ preying on $\textit{Aphis gossypii}$ Glover, 1877 and $\textit{Myzus persicae}$ (Sulzer, 1776). We constructed a logistic model with density dependence and type-II functional response to analyse predation dynamics, incorporating bifurcation analysis on predation parameters (attack rate and handling time) and the mortality rate of susceptible ladybirds. We simulated scenarios with/without insecticide application and with/without aphid resistance. To simulate the effects of insecticide applications, the parameters related to aphids' intrinsic growth rate ($r_1$ and $r_2$) change to reflect the responses of susceptible and resistant populations. The same approach is used concerning the mortality rate of ladybirds ($d_2$ and $d_3$). Our results demonstrate that mortality, attack rate, and handling time are critical in shaping predator-prey interactions. Temporal simulations revealed fluctuating abundances, highlighting the fragility of these interactions under insecticide stress. Therefore, this study contributes to understanding the ecological implications of insecticides, which disrupt natural predation dynamics, and shows how variations in behavioural rates can impact prey control. This research demonstrated the importance of integrated strategies that balance insecticide applications with preserving natural enemies and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
title Predatory dynamics in susceptible and resistant $\textit{Eriopis connexa}$ populations
topic Populations and Evolution
Quantitative Methods
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2505.00644