Aphid Alarm Pheromone Component, (E)-β-farnesene, and Local Search by a Predatory Lady Beetle, Coccinella septempunctata bruckii MULSANT(Coleoptera:Coccinellidae)

Abstract

Responses of a predatory lady beetle, Coccinella septempunctata bruckii, to synthetic aphid alarm pheromone were studied to determine possible influences of the pheromone on the beetle's local search. Three search parameters - locomotory rate, turn rate and "meander" - were tested after consumption of an aphid prey and after contact with aphid alarm pheromone. The 2 sets of parameters were significantly different, suggesting that aphid alarm pheromone is not utilized as an orientation cue toward an additional prey item.