Comment on "Invasive harlequin ladybird carries biological weapons against native competitors"

Science. 2013 Sep 20;341(6152):1342. doi: 10.1126/science.1241827.

Abstract

Vilcinskas et al. (Reports, 17 May 2013, p. 862) proposed that infectious microsporidia of the invasive ladybird Harmonia axyridis act against intraguild predators, rather than ladybird alkaloid defenses. However, as both microsporidia and the harmonine defense alkaloid were administered to predators by microinjection rather than into the gut, such a conclusion is premature. Alkaloids also provide defense when predation occurs, whereas microsporidia act much later.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Coleoptera / parasitology*
  • Coleoptera / physiology*
  • Food Chain*
  • Introduced Species*
  • Nosema / physiology*