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AGGREGATIONS AND WINTER SURVIVAL IN SOUTHERN ALBERTA OF HIPPODAMIA QUINQUESIGNATA (COLEOPTERA: COCCINELLIDAE), A PREDATOR OF THE PEA APHID (HOMOPTERA: APHIDIDAE)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

A. M. Harper  and
C. E. Lilly
A. M. Harper
Affiliation:
Research Station, Agriculture Canada, Lethbridge, AlbertaT1J 4B1
C. E. Lilly
Affiliation:
Research Station, Agriculture Canada, Lethbridge, AlbertaT1J 4B1
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Abstract

Aggregations of the ladybird beetle Hippodamia quinquesignata Kirby were found at several sites on the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains in southern Alberta at altitudes of 1250–2439 m, and also in the Porcupine Hills (1780 m), just east of the Rockies. The beetles apparently migrate from the prairie region where they feed on pea and grain aphids to the aggregation sites in fall, and return to the prairie in spring.

H. quinquesignata can survive southern Alberta winters, but some protection is needed as high mortality sometimes occurs in localized areas of the aggregation sites. Supercooling data indicate that the greatest protection against cold occurs during mid-winter but a considerable amount of cold hardening occurs during the fall. The most critical period for survival appears to be April and May when the beetles have lost much of their cold resistance, and a late spring cold period could cause high mortality.

Résumé

On a observé des rassemblements de la coccinelle Hippodamia quinquesignata Kirby à plusieurs endroits du versant est des Rocheuses du sud de l'Alberta, à des altitudes variant de 1 250 à 2 439 m, et également dans les Porcupine Hills (1 780 m), juste à l'est des Rocheuses. Il semble que les coccinelles migrent de la région des Prairies où elles se nourrissent de pucerons du pois et du grain aux lieux de rassemblement à l'automne et retournent dans les Prairies le printemps venu.

H. quinquesignata peut survivre aux hivers du sud de l'Alberta, mais elle a besoin d'une certaine protection car la mortalité est parfois élevée dans certaines aires des lieux de rassemblement. Les données de surfusion révèlent que la meilleure protection contre le froid se rencontre au milieu de l'hiver, mais qu'une bonne partie de l'acclimatation au froid se fait à l'automne. La période la plus critique de survie semble être avril et mai lorsque les coccinelles ont perdu une grande partie de leur résistance et qu'une vague de froid à la fin du printemps peut causer une forte mortalité.

Type
Articles
Information
The Canadian Entomologist , Volume 114 , Issue 4 , April 1982 , pp. 303 - 309
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1982

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