The giant willow aphid, Tuberolachnus salignus is an invasive insect in New Zealand for which control measures are being sought due to its detrimental effects on willow cultivation and apiculture. We evaluated the biocontrol potential of the harlequin ladybird beetle, Harmoniaaxyridis, by measuring voracity and feeding preference of larvae and adults in laboratory trials. Results show that H. axyridis consumes T. salignus, with females being more voracious than males and larvae. However, H. axyridis fed T. salignus took longer to develop, gained less weight and had lower survival compared with those fed eggs of the Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestiakuehniella. In a choice test, larval and adult H. axyridis preferred the green peach aphid, Myzuspersicae, as prey item, rejecting T. salignus. We suggest that H. axyridis is likely to use T. salignus only as a facultative prey, and therefore cannot be prioritised as a potential biocontrol agent.

中文翻译：

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丑角瓢虫甲虫Harmonia axyridis作为巨型柳蚜蚜虫Tuberolachnus salignus的捕食者的潜力：脆弱性，生活史和猎物偏好

巨大的柳蚜蚜虫（Stuberolachnus salignus）是新西兰的一种入侵昆虫，由于其对柳树种植和养蜂业的有害影响，正在寻求控制措施。我们评估了丑角瓢虫生物防治潜力，异色瓢虫，通过测量贪婪和实验室试验喂养幼虫和成虫的偏好。结果表明，^ h。瓢虫消耗T. salignus，而女性则比男性和幼虫更贪婪。但是，H。瓢虫馈送Ť。align与饲喂地中海粉蛾Ephestia kuehniella的卵相比，它们需要更长的发育时间，增加的体重和更低的存活率。在选择测试中，幼虫和成虫^ h。瓢虫优选桃蚜，桃蚜蚜，如猎物项，拒绝Ť。s骨。我们建议^ h。瓢虫很可能利用牛逼。salignus仅作为兼性猎物，因此不能优先考虑作为潜在的生物防治剂。