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2012 ; 3
(3
): 653-67
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Predation of Ladybird Beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) by Amphibians
#MMPMID26466621
Sloggett JJ
Insects
2012[Jul]; 3
(3
): 653-67
PMID26466621
show ga
Studies of predation of ladybird beetles (Coccinellidae) have focused on a
limited number of predator taxa, such as birds and ants, while other potential
predators have received limited attention. I here consider amphibians as
predators of ladybirds. Published amphibian gut analyses show that ladybirds are
quite often eaten by frogs and toads (Anura), with recorded frequencies reaching
up to 15% of dietary items. Salamanders (Caudata) eat ladybirds less frequently,
probably as their habits less often bring them into contact with the beetles.
Amphibians do not appear to be deleteriously affected by the potentially toxic
alkaloids that ladybirds possess. Amphibians, especially frogs and toads, use
primarily prey movement as a release cue to attack their food; it is thus likely
that their ability to discriminate against ladybirds and other chemically
defended prey is limited. Because of this poor discriminatory power, amphibians
have apparently evolved non-specific resistance to prey defensive chemicals,
including ladybird alkaloids. Although amphibian-related ladybird mortality is
limited, in certain habitats it could outweigh mortality from more frequently
studied predators, notably birds. The gut analyses from the herpetological
literature used in this study, suggest that in studying predation of insects,
entomologists should consider specialized literature on other animal groups.