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<p>Coccinellids are generalist predators and play a crucial role in the biological control of aphids. During periods of low availability of their primary prey, these insects can supplement their diet with alternative resources, such as pollen, which is a rich source of proteins, carbohydrates, and essential amino acids. However, the consumption of alternative resources may vary among habitats, potentially supporting coccinellid persistence in the landscape when aphids are scarce. This study analyzed the frequency and abundance of pollen consumption in eight coccinellid species collected during the summer in six land-cover types (i.e. habitats) representative of the agricultural landscape in Central Chile: alfalfa, maize, vineyards, tree hedgerows, sclerophyllous shrubland, and abandoned sites. In total, 336 individuals were collected and dissected to examine their intestines for pollen. Pollen grains from nine plant families were identified in the guts of coccinellids. Both coccinellid species and habitat significantly influenced the frequency and abundance of pollen in the intestines. All species exhibited a pollen consumption frequency above 50%, with <i>Eriopis chilensis</i> having the highest frequency and abundance of pollen, while <i>Harmonia axyridis</i> the lowest. Regarding habitats, alfalfa and abandoned sites had the highest frequencies of individuals with pollen, and abandoned sites showed the greatest abundance of pollen in the intestines. This study provides novel empirical evidence that pollen use is widespread among coccinellids and varies significantly across species and habitats, suggesting important differences in dietary breadth and potential persistence mechanisms in the agricultural landscape when aphids are scarce.</p>

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Pollen consumption by aphidophagous coccinellids varies across species and habitats in agricultural landscapes of central Chile

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月17日

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  • Diego A. Reyes-Thomas,
  • Audrey A. Grez

摘要

Coccinellids are generalist predators and play a crucial role in the biological control of aphids. During periods of low availability of their primary prey, these insects can supplement their diet with alternative resources, such as pollen, which is a rich source of proteins, carbohydrates, and essential amino acids. However, the consumption of alternative resources may vary among habitats, potentially supporting coccinellid persistence in the landscape when aphids are scarce. This study analyzed the frequency and abundance of pollen consumption in eight coccinellid species collected during the summer in six land-cover types (i.e. habitats) representative of the agricultural landscape in Central Chile: alfalfa, maize, vineyards, tree hedgerows, sclerophyllous shrubland, and abandoned sites. In total, 336 individuals were collected and dissected to examine their intestines for pollen. Pollen grains from nine plant families were identified in the guts of coccinellids. Both coccinellid species and habitat significantly influenced the frequency and abundance of pollen in the intestines. All species exhibited a pollen consumption frequency above 50%, with Eriopis chilensis having the highest frequency and abundance of pollen, while Harmonia axyridis the lowest. Regarding habitats, alfalfa and abandoned sites had the highest frequencies of individuals with pollen, and abandoned sites showed the greatest abundance of pollen in the intestines. This study provides novel empirical evidence that pollen use is widespread among coccinellids and varies significantly across species and habitats, suggesting important differences in dietary breadth and potential persistence mechanisms in the agricultural landscape when aphids are scarce.