Feed Finding Behavior of predatory Coccinella sp. on Kenikir Yellow Flower Syrup as its supplement
Nurariaty Agus, Tamrin Abdullah dan Sulaeha Tamrin

UNiversitas Hasanuddin

Abstract

Coccinella sp. as a predator of various kinds of pests that are cosmopolitan in nature, it is very important to be conserved. These predators need energy for their survival, which can be obtained from their prey (pests), as well as from flower nectar as a source of additional feed or supplements. In this regard, we have conducted a series of studies to make yellow kenikir flower syrup as an analogue of flower nectar. This study aims to determine the behavior of predatory feed finding Coccinella sp. to yellow kenikir flower syrup added with artificial sweetener, namely saccharin, then compared with the addition of commercial syrup. Observations were made for eight hours on the feed finding behavior including the frequency of visiting the feed and the time duration used for the feed. The results showed that saccharin the visiting frequency of Coccinella sp. adult on yellow kenikir flower syrup added with saccharin was lower but longer than if the predator was given yellow kenikir flower syrup added with commercial syrup with an index of 2.10 minutes / visit and 1.18 minutes / visit, respectively. However, the frequency and duration of predators increased in yellow kenikir flower syrup when combined with fresh yellow kenikir flowers but did not come to commercial syrup when combined with fresh yellow kenikir flowers. The yellow kenikir flower syrup added with saccharin is potent enough to be developed for the predatory Coccinella sp. as its supplements.

Keywords: yellow kenikir flower syrup, supplements, predator behavior, Coccinella sp.

Topic: Integrated Pest and Disease Management