Predation by Missumenops pallidus (Keyserling) (Araneae Tomisidae) on pest insects of soybean cultures in Buenos Aires province, Argentina

GONZÁLEZ, A.; G. LILJESTHROM, E. MINERVINO; D. CASTRO & S. GONZALEZ

Journal of Arachnology

American Aracnological Society

Lugar: New York; Año: 2008

Spiders are considered generalist predators that tend to be monophagous when a given insect species constitutes the most abundant prey, whereas they become generalist when other groups of potential prey appear in great numbers. Predation by M. Pallidus adult females was analized on pairs of different prey items, representing non pest insects and potential pests. The phenology of the potential pests is such that each one peaks sequentially while NPI were present along the entire period. Field experiments were made in a commercial 50ha soybean plot during two successive years. Ten cages 1 x 1 x 0.5m were placed in peripheral furrows of a soybean commercial plot. The prey items were introduced in each cage and after a 48hs fasting period, one adult female spider was introduced. Prey and predator were kept together for 24 h. Adult females of M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species (except adult stink bugs) and one to almost two prey items per cage were killed by a M. pallidus adult female during a one day period. However, the different pest items were predated differentially and the order from higher to lower with respect to NPI was: DLL, SFN, DBL and SFA. Adult females of M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pest items were predated differentially and the order from higher to lower with respect to NPI was: DLL, SFN, DBL and SFA. Adult females of M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus adult female during a one day period. However, the different pest items were predated differentially and the order from higher to lower with respect to NPI was: DLL, SFN, DBL and SFA. Adult females of M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pest items were predated differentially and the order from higher to lower with respect to NPI was: DLL, SFN, DBL and SFA. Adult females of M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. bugs) and one to almost two prey items per cage were killed by a M. pallidus adult female during a one day period. However, the different pest items were predated differentially and the order from higher to lower with respect to NPI was: DLL, SFN, DBL and SFA. Adult females of M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pest items were predated differentially and the order from higher to lower with respect to NPI was: DLL, SFN, DBL and SFA. Adult females of M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus adult female during a one day period. However, the different pest items were predated differentially and the order from higher to lower with respect to NPI was: DLL, SFN, DBL and SFA. Adult females of M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pest items were predated differentially and the order from higher to lower with respect to NPI was: DLL, SFN, DBL and SFA. Adult females of M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pairs of different prey items, representing non pest insects and potential pests. The phenology of the potential pests is such that each one peaks sequentially while NPI were present along the entire period. Field experiments were made in a commercial 50ha soybean plot during two successive years. Ten cages 1 x 1 x 0.5m were placed in peripheral furrows of a soybean commercial plot. The prey items were introduced in each cage and after a 48hs fasting period, one adult female spider was introduced. Prey and predator were kept together for 24 h. Adult females of M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species (except adult stink bugs) and one to almost two prey items per cage were killed by a M. pallidus adult female during a one day period. However, the different pest items were predated differentially and the order from higher to lower with respect to NPI was: DLL, SFN, DBL and SFA. Adult females of M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pest items were predated differentially and the order from higher to lower with respect to NPI was: DLL, SFN, DBL and SFA. Adult females of M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus adult female during a one day period. However, the different pest items were predated differentially and the order from higher to lower with respect to NPI was: DLL, SFN, DBL and SFA. Adult females of M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pest items were predated differentially and the order from higher to lower with respect to NPI was: DLL, SFN, DBL and SFA. Adult females of M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. bugs) and one to almost two prey items per cage were killed by a M. pallidus adult female during a one day period. However, the different pest items were predated differentially and the order from higher to lower with respect to NPI was: DLL, SFN, DBL and SFA. Adult females of M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pest items were predated differentially and the order from higher to lower with respect to NPI was: DLL, SFN, DBL and SFA. Adult females of M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus adult female during a one day period. However, the different pest items were predated differentially and the order from higher to lower with respect to NPI was: DLL, SFN, DBL and SFA. Adult females of M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pest items were predated differentially and the order from higher to lower with respect to NPI was: DLL, SFN, DBL and SFA. Adult females of M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. M. Pallidus adult females was analized on pairs of different prey items, representing non pest insects and potential pests. The phenology of the potential pests is such that each one peaks sequentially while NPI were present along the entire period. Field experiments were made in a commercial 50ha soybean plot during two successive years. Ten cages 1 x 1 x 0.5m were placed in peripheral furrows of a soybean commercial plot. The prey items were introduced in each cage and after a 48hs fasting period, one adult female spider was introduced. Prey and predator were kept together for 24 h. Adult females of M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species (except adult stink bugs) and one to almost two prey items per cage were killed by a M. pallidus adult female during a one day period. However, the different pest items were predated differentially and the order from higher to lower with respect to NPI was: DLL, SFN, DBL and SFA. Adult females of M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pest items were predated differentially and the order from higher to lower with respect to NPI was: DLL, SFN, DBL and SFA. Adult females of M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus adult female during a one day period. However, the different pest items were predated differentially and the order from higher to lower with respect to NPI was: DLL, SFN, DBL and SFA. Adult females of M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pest items were predated differentially and the order from higher to lower with respect to NPI was: DLL, SFN, DBL and SFA. Adult females of M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. bugs) and one to almost two prey items per cage were killed by a M. pallidus adult female during a one day period. However, the different pest items were predated differentially and the order from higher to lower with respect to NPI was: DLL, SFN, DBL and SFA. Adult females of M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pest items were predated differentially and the order from higher to lower with respect to NPI was: DLL, SFN, DBL and SFA. Adult females of M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus adult female during a one day period. However, the different pest items were predated differentially and the order from higher to lower with respect to NPI was: DLL, SFN, DBL and SFA. Adult females of M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pest items were predated differentially and the order from higher to lower with respect to NPI was: DLL, SFN, DBL and SFA. Adult females of M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species (except adult stink bugs) and one to almost two prey items per cage were killed by a M. pallidus adult female during a one day period. However, the different pest items were predated differentially and the order from higher to lower with respect to NPI was: DLL, SFN, DBL and SFA. Adult females of M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pest items were predated differentially and the order from higher to lower with respect to NPI was: DLL, SFN, DBL and SFA. Adult females of M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus adult female during a one day period. However, the different pest items were predated differentially and the order from higher to lower with respect to NPI was: DLL, SFN, DBL and SFA. Adult females of M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pest items were predated differentially and the order from higher to lower with respect to NPI was: DLL, SFN, DBL and SFA. Adult females of M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. M. pallidus adult female during a one day period. However, the different pest items were predated differentially and the order from higher to lower with respect to NPI was: DLL, SFN, DBL and SFA. Adult females of M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pest items were predated differentially and the order from higher to lower with respect to NPI was: DLL, SFN, DBL and SFA. Adult females of M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. adult female during a one day period. However, the different pest items were predated differentially and the order from higher to lower with respect to NPI was: DLL, SFN, DBL and SFA. Adult females of M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. M. pallidus fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet. fed on all the offered insect species, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, it acted almost as a specialist predator, whereas in the presence of other prey guilds it showed a more varied feeding, with a more generalized diet.