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ORIENTATION OF CALOSOMA SYCOPHANTA L. (COLEOPTERA: CARABIDAE) IN FORESTS: INSIGHTS FROM VISUAL RESPONSES TO OBJECTS

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

Ronald M. Weseloh
Ronald M. Weseloh
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, PO Box 1106, New Haven, Connecticut, USA 06504
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Abstract

Visual responses of adults of Calosoma sycophanta L., which are predators of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar L. (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), were investigated in laboratory arenas. Beetles moved toward dark cylinders significantly faster than to light ones when the background was white, but no differently when the background was black. Thus, C. sycophanta appears to respond most readily to dark objects, and this response is only slightly modified by contrast with the background. Beetles move toward large-diameter black cylinders more readily than toward small-diameter ones, but object height and shape do not appear to be important characteristics. The visual responses of C. sycophanta would tend to orient adults toward the base of trees in a forest. Because beetles prey on gypsy moth larvae in trees, this orientation serves to position them where they can most readily find hosts, or perhaps to guide them to objects under which to hide.

Résumé

Les réactions visuelles des adultes de Calosoma sycophanta L., qui sont prédateurs de la Spongieuse, Lymantria dispar L. (Lepidoptera : Lymantriidae), ont été étudiées dans des arènes de laboratoire. Les calosomes se sont déplacés significativement plus rapidement vers des cylindres foncés que vers des cylindres clairs sur fond blanc et il n’y avait pas de différence lorsque les cylindres étaient sur fond noir. Calosoma sycophanta réagit donc plus rapidement à des objets foncés et la réaction n’est que légèrement modifiée si la couleur du fond change. Les calosomes se déplacent plus volontiers vers des cylindres noirs de grand diamètre que vers des cylindres de petit diamètre, mais la hauteur et la forme des objets ne semblent pas constituer des caractéristiques importantes. Les réactions de C. sycophanta semblent indiquer que les adultes auraient tendance à s’orienter vers la base des arbres en forêt. Comme les calosomes s’attaquent aux larves de spongieuses dans les arbres, il est logique de penser que cette tendance peut les pousser vers des endroits où ils peuvent trouver leurs proies le plus facilement, ou alors les mener vers des objets sous lesquels ils peuvent se cacher.

[Traduit par la Rédaction]

Type
Articles
Information
The Canadian Entomologist , Volume 129 , Issue 2 , April 1997 , pp. 347 - 354
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1997

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