Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Toxicity assays of ladybirds using natural predators

  • Research papers
  • Published:
CHEMOECOLOGY Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Nestling blue titsParus caeruleus L. were given diets containing homogenized ladybirds, to assess the effects of their chemical defences. The 2spot, 10spot and water ladybirds produced no apparent toxic effects when small numbers were given at regular intervals.

The pine and kidney-spot ladybirds slightly inhibit growth and may be toxic to very young nestlings. The Water ladybird is extremely distasteful to this predator, despite its lack of toxicity. The results are discussed with reference to the proposed Müllerian and Batesian mimetic relationships between the ladybird species.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alcock J (1970) Punishment levels and the response of white-throated sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis) to three kinds of artificial models and mimics. Anim Beh 18:592–599

    Google Scholar 

  • Bengston SA, Hagen R (1977) Melanism in the two-spot ladybirdAdalia bipunctata in relation to climate in western Norway. Oikos 28:16–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Boppré M (1986) Insects pharmacophagously utilizing defensive plant chemicals (pyrrolizidine alkaloids). Naturwissenschaften 73:17–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Brakefield PM (1984a) Ecological studies on the polymorphic ladybirdAdalia bipunctata in the Netherlands. II Population dynamics, differential timing of reproduction and thermal melanism. J Anim Ecol 53:775–790

    Google Scholar 

  • Brakefield PM (1984b) Selection along clines in the ladybirdAdalia bipunctata in the Netherlands: A general mating advantage to melanics and its consequences. Heredity 53:37–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Brakefield PM (1985) Polymorphic Müllerian mimicry and interactions with thermal melanism in ladybirds and a soldier beetle: a hypothesis. Bio J Linn Soc 26:243–267

    Google Scholar 

  • Brakefield PM, Lees DR (1987) Melanism inAdalia ladybirds and declining air pollution in Birmingham. Heredity 59:273–277

    Google Scholar 

  • Brakefield P, Willmer P (1983) The basis of thermal melanism in the ladybirdAdalia bipunctata. Differences in reflectance and thermal properties between morphs. Heredity 54:9–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Brower LP (1984) Chemical defence in butterflies. Pp 109–134in The Biology of Butterflies. Symp R Entomol Soc (Lond) 11:109–134

    Google Scholar 

  • Creed ER (1966) Geographic variation in the two-spot ladybird in England and Wales. Heredity 21:57–72

    Google Scholar 

  • Creed ER (1971a) Industrial melanism in the two-spot ladybird and smoke abatement. Evolution 25:290–293

    Google Scholar 

  • Creed ER (1971b) Melanism in the two-spot ladybirdAdalia bipunctata, in Great Britain. Pp 134–151in Creed ER (ed.) Ecological Genetics and Evolution. Oxford: Blackwell Scientific Publ

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodale M, Sneddon I (1977) The effect of distastefulness of the model on the predation of artificial Batesian mimics. Anim Beh 25:660–665

    Google Scholar 

  • Holloway GJ, de Jong PW, Brakefield PM, de Vos H (1991) Chemical defence in ladybird beetles (Coccinellidae). I Distribution of coccinelline and individual variation in defence in 7-spot ladybirds (Coccinella septempunctata). Chemoecology 2:7–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Huheey J (1984) Warning coloration and mimicry. Pp 257–299in Bell WJ, Carde RJ (eds) Chemical Ecology of Insects. London, New York: Chapman and Hall

    Google Scholar 

  • Huheey J (1988) Mathematical models of mimicry. Am Nat 131 Suppl:S22-S41

    Google Scholar 

  • de Jong PW, Holloway GJ, Brakefield PM, de Vos H (1991) Chemical defence in ladybird beetles (Coccinellidae). II Amount of reflex fluid, the alkaloid adaline and individual variation in defence in 2-spot ladybirds (Adalia bipunctata). Chemoecology 2:15–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Lees DR, Creed ER, Duckett JG (1973) Atmospheric pollution and industrial melanism. Heredity 30:227–232

    Google Scholar 

  • Lusis JJ (1961) On the biological meaning of colour polymorphism of lady-beetleAdalia bipunctata L. Latv Entomol 4:3–29

    Google Scholar 

  • Majerus MEN, Kearns P (1989) Ladybirds. Slough: Richmond Publishing

    Google Scholar 

  • Marples NM (1990) The influence of predation on ladybird colour patterns. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Wales College of Cardiff

  • Marples NM, Brakefield PM, Cowie RJ (1989) Differences between the 7-spot and 2-spot ladybird beetles (Coccinellidae) in their toxic effects on a bird predator. Ecol Entomol 14:79–84

    Google Scholar 

  • Marriner TF (1926) A hybrid coccinellid. Entomol Record 38:81–83

    Google Scholar 

  • Marsh N, Rothschild M (1974) Aposematic and cryptic Lepidoptera tested on the mouse. J Zool Soc Lond 174:89–122

    Google Scholar 

  • Merritt-Hawkes OA (1927) The distribution of the ladybirdAdalia bipunctata L. (Coleoptera). Entomol Mon Mag 63:262–266

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore BP & Brown WV (1978) Precoccinelline and related alkaloids in the Australian soldier beetle,Chauliognathus pulchellus (Coleoptera: Cantharidae). Insect Biochem 8:393–395

    Google Scholar 

  • Muhlmann H (1934) Im Modellversuch künstlich erzeugte Mimikry und ihre Bedeutung fur den ‘Nachahmer’. Z Morph Ökol 28:259–296

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Connor RJ (1973) Growth and metabolism in some insectorivorous birds compared with granivorous species. D.Phil. Thesis, Oxford

  • O'Donald P, Majerus MEN (1984) Polymorphism of melanic ladybirds maintained by frequency-dependent sexual selection. Biol J Linn Soc 23:101–111

    Google Scholar 

  • Pasteels JM, Deroe C, Tursch B, Braekman JC, Daloze D, Hootele C (1973) Distribution et activites des alcaloides defensifs des Coccinellidae. J Insect Physiol 19:1771–1784

    Google Scholar 

  • Perrins CM (1979) British Tits. London: Collins New Naturalist

    Google Scholar 

  • Pough FH (1988) Mimicry of vertebrates: are the rules different? Am. Nat. Supp. 131:S67-S102

    Google Scholar 

  • Rothschild M, Moore BP, Brown WV (1984) Pyrazines as warning colour components in the monarch butterfly,Danaus plexippus, and in moths of generaZygaena andAmata (Lepidotera). Biol J Linn Soc 23:375–380

    Google Scholar 

  • Sbordoni V, Bullini L, Scarpelli G, Forestiero S, Rampini M (1979) Mimicry in the burnet mothZygaena ephialtes: population studies and evidence of a Batesian-Müllerian situation. Ecol Entomol 4:83–93

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt R (1960) Predator behaviour and the perfection of incipient mimetic resemblance. Behaviour 16:149–158

    Google Scholar 

  • Schuler W, Roper TJ (1992) Responses to warning coloration in avian predators. Adv Study Behav 21:111–146

    Google Scholar 

  • Timofeeff-Ressovsky NW, Svirezhev YuM (1966) Adaptation polymorphism in populations ofAdalia bipunctata L. Probl Cybern 16:161–174

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner JR (1987) The evolutionary dynamics of Batesian and Muellerian mimicry: similarities and differences. Ecol Ent 12:81–95

    Google Scholar 

  • Tursch B, Braekman JC, Daloze D (1976) Arthropod alkaloids. Experientia 32:401–407

    Google Scholar 

  • Windecker W (1939)Euchelia (Hypocrita)jacobaeae L. und das Schutztrachtenproblem. Z Morph Ökol 35:84–138

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Evolutionary and Ecological Sciences, University of Leiden, Schelpenkade 14a, NL-2313, Leiden, ZT, The Netherlands

    Nicola M. Marples

Authors
  1. Nicola M. Marples
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Marples, N.M. Toxicity assays of ladybirds using natural predators. Chemoecology 4, 33–38 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01245894

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01245894

Key words

Search

Navigation