Breeding method of predatory natural enemy ball doptera of fall webworm

Abstract

The invention discloses a breeding method of chisodochidae. According to the method, on the basis that the theoretical daily maximum predation amount of the tenebrio molitor on the hyphantria cunea young larvae is defined, the tenebrio molitor larvae are cut into segments to serve as substitute feed of the hyphantria cunea for artificial propagation of the hyphantria cunea, then the natural enemy can be used for preventing and treating 1-2 instar larvae of the hyphantria cunea, the hyphantria cunea can be effectively controlled by means of the predation characteristic of the natural enemy, and the method is suitable for large-scale popularization and application. The practical significance is realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to plant protection and relates to a biological control plan, and in particular to a breeding method of the predatory natural enemy insect of agricultural and forestry pests represented by the gypsy moth. Background Art

[0002] The American white moth Hyphantriacunea (Drury), also known as the fall curtain caterpillar, is an insect belonging to the family Erebidae of the order Lepidoptera. As an alien invasive species, it seriously harms many trees and has become a global quarantine pest. It has been listed as a major alien forest pest by the State Forestry and Grassland Administration. In my country, the American white moth can harm more than 300 plant species including trees, fruit trees, flowers, vegetables, crops and weeds. At present, the main control methods for the American white moth include chemical control and biological control. Although chemical control can quickly reduce the number of pest populations to a certain extent, its long-term use may lead to environmental pollution and destruction of ecological balance. Therefore, biological control, as a more environmentally friendly and sustainable method, has received widespread attention.

[0003] Forficulavicaria (Semenov), scientific name, belongs to Dermaptera, Forficulidae, and its living habits are significantly different from other earwigs in Dermaptera. In the adult stage, Forficulavicaria prefers to live between branches and leaves of tree trunks and in the cracks of bark, rather than in dark corners on the ground. It likes warmth and avoids light, and is nocturnal. In summer and autumn, Forficulavicaria is often found among diseased leaves, dead leaves, curled leaves on trees, and under loose bark. Forficulavicaria is a very common predatory natural enemy of the young larvae of the gypsy moth, and is often found near the gypsy moth's web curtain. Although some scholars have conducted relevant research on the effect of Forficulavicaria on preying on aphids, no specific research on its predation on the gypsy moth has been reported. In view of the potential of the spherical ball earwig as a natural enemy resource and the serious harm caused by the gypsy moth to agriculture and forestry, the present invention clarifies the predation ability of the spherical ball earwig on the gypsy moth, develops methods for raising and propagating this natural enemy, and provides new means for the biological control of the gypsy moth, thereby more effectively protecting and utilizing this natural enemy resource and facilitating the green prevention and control of agricultural and forestry pests. Summary of the invention

[0004] As a predatory insect with biological control potential, the natural control effect of the spherical ball earwig on agricultural and forestry pests such as the gypsy moth has attracted increasing attention. However, the current research and application of the spherical ball earwig is mainly limited by the difficulty of field collection, which includes the uncontrollability of natural environmental conditions, the restrictions of seasonal changes, the complexity of insect life habits and the interference of human activities. These factors together restrict the application of the spherical ball earwig as a biological control resource. The present invention relates to a method for collecting, raising and propagating the spherical ball earwig, a predatory natural enemy insect of agricultural and forestry pests represented by the gypsy moth.

[0005] The present invention first discovered and confirmed that the schizontidae, as a natural enemy insect, has a significant predatory effect on the gypsy moth, and the schizontidae has the characteristics of easy collection, simple breeding, long life, strong adaptability and large-scale cultivation. Through density gradient test, the Holling-II type H disk equation is used for fitting, indicating that the schizontidae, as a dominant natural enemy insect, has great potential in biological control of the gypsy moth.

[0006] A method for calculating the theoretical maximum daily predation of the gypsophila cunninghamii on the gypsy moth comprises the following steps:

[0007] a: Design an experimental device; the experimental device comprises a circular breeding box, which is composed of a lower box body (1) and an upper box cover (2). A small piece of mulberry leaf (3) with an area of ​​about 4 cm2 is placed in the lower box body (1). A circular opening with a diameter of 1 cm is opened on the upper box cover (2), and a metal mesh (4) is buckled at the position of the circular opening. The mesh number of the metal mesh (4) is 3000 meshes;

[0008] b: placing 1st instar larvae of the cunea gypsophila at different density gradients on the mulberry leaves in the experimental device of step S1;

[0009] c: starve the adults of the schizontidae for 24 hours, and then place the adults of the schizontidae into the test device of step S2, and place the test device containing the schizontidae and the gypsy moth in an artificial climate incubator at a temperature of 24±1°C and a humidity of 75%±10%;

[0010] d: The average daily predation of the adults of the schizontidae on different numbers of first-instar larvae of the American moth was counted after they were released for 24 hours. The Holling-II disk equation was used to fit the data, establish a predation functional response model, and calculate the theoretical maximum daily predation of the adults of the schizontidae.

[0011] In a specific embodiment, 5 density gradients of gypsy moth larvae are placed in the test device, and each treatment is repeated 5 times. The adults of the gypsy moth are starved for 24 hours, and after the starvation treatment, the adults of the gypsy moth are placed in the test device of step S2 according to different density gradients. The test device containing the gypsy moth and the gypsy moth is placed in an artificial climate incubator with a temperature of 24±1°C and a humidity of 75%±10% for 24 hours, and then the number of gypsy moth larvae is observed and counted, and the average daily predation of the gypsy moth on the gypsy moth of different densities is counted. The data are fitted using the Holling-II disk equation to obtain a predation functional response model of the gypsy moth on the gypsy moth, and the theoretical maximum daily predation is calculated.

[0012] Holling-II disk equation Na=aNT / (1+aT h N) where: a represents the instantaneous attack rate of the ball-worm, T h represents the treatment time, i.e., the time it takes for an adult of the schizont to prey on a 1st instar larva of the gypsy moth; Na represents the daily prey load of the schizont per unit time (T = 1 day); N represents the density of the prey (gypsy moth); T represents the experimental time; T h / 1 in this equation represents the maximum prey load that the ball-eared caterpillar can theoretically achieve (when the prey density tends to infinity).

[0013] The theoretical maximum daily predation amount obtained through calculation is about 246. Releasing the ball-eared caterpillars at a ratio of 1:246 can achieve better prevention and control effects.

[0014] A method for collecting, raising and propagating a ball-worm comprises the following steps in sequence:

[0015] (1) Taking advantage of the nocturnal and photophobic characteristics of the cricket, the crickets were collected during their active period from June to September each year;

[0016] (2) The collected worms were placed in a square insect box (size: 17 cm × 11 cm × 6.5 cm) for batch breeding;

[0017] (3) The female crickets with mature eggs are separated into boxes and stimulated to lay eggs through low temperature.

[0018] (4) After hatching under suitable conditions, the caterpillar develops into an adult after 63 to 68 days.

[0019] (5) During the outbreak period of the gypsy moth, place caterpillars on the host trees of the gypsy moth to prey on the larvae of the gypsy moth and reduce the number of gypsy moths.

[0020] In a specific implementation method, in step (1), when the manual collection method is adopted, a detailed search is carried out in the shaded places on the sunny side of the tree during the day, such as the curled leaves of small branches and the back of leaves; or a trapping collection method is adopted, using a special trapping device, which is composed of a 4×8 cm paper sheet folded in half along the short side to form a cylindrical structure with a flat end and an open end, and the device is firmly nailed to the branches and leaves of shrubs or trees 1 to 1.5 meters high, and 2 to 4 trapping points are set on each tree; after the trapping device is set, it is regularly recovered and inspected to obtain the trapped ball-headed caterpillars.

[0021] In a specific embodiment, in step (2), the square insect box is divided into two areas, one side is paved with a 3 cm thick soil layer, and shelters such as bark are placed to provide a habitat and shelter for the ball-eared thrush; and yellow flour beetle larvae are regularly placed as a food source for the ball-eared thrush to ensure its adequate food supply.

[0022] The number of ball-eared caterpillars in the square insect box is 10-20, preferably 15-16; the male-female ratio is 1-2:1-2, preferably 1:1.

[0023] Release mealworm larvae that are over 10 years old and have been cut into 1 / 2 pieces. The ratio of mealworm larvae to mealworms is 1:1.

[0024] In a specific embodiment, in step (3), the physiological characteristics of female schizontids before laying eggs are observed, such as obvious abdominal swelling, reduced food intake, etc., to identify whether they are about to lay eggs; the female schizontids about to lay eggs are separated into boxes, and the separation method can be selected to select a single female insect to be raised independently, or to adopt a method of one male and one female. The female schizontids about to lay eggs can also be placed in a relatively low temperature environment through low temperature stimulation to induce them to lay eggs.

[0025] In a specific embodiment, in step (4), during the incubation period, the humidity of the breeding environment is maintained at about 60%. After the eggs are hatched, the temperature is placed at 24±1°C and the humidity is placed at 75%±10%. The mature larvae of the yellow powder beetle are regularly fed. When the larvae grow to the third instar, they are divided into boxes and routinely raised according to the feeding step (2) until the larvae grow into adults, completing the entire expansion process.

[0026] In a specific embodiment, in step (5), the age of the ball-eared caterpillar is a 4th-instar nymph or adult, preferably an adult; the period of occurrence of the gypsy moth is a low-instar larvae stage, preferably a 1st-instar larvae stage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 .Test device; wherein 1 is the lower box body, 2 is the upper box cover, 3 is a small piece of mulberry leaf, and 4 is a metal mesh.

[0028] Figure 2.Adults of the ball-eared caterpillar prey on first-instar gypsy moths.

[0029] Figure 3 .The predatory functional response and foraging effect of adults of the genus Mylosoma sutchuenensis on the first instar larvae of the gypsy moth.

[0030] Figure 4 .The molting ball-eared caterpillar and the adult.

[0031] Figure 5 .Feeding device.

[0032] Figure 6 .Reproduction device.

[0033] Figure 7 .Egg-guarding behavior of female Trichoplusia spp. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The technical solution of the embodiment of the present invention is clearly and completely described below:

[0035] The experimental materials used in this embodiment specifically include:

[0036] Adults of Trichoderma: collected from Shenyang Agricultural University and Dongling Park in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, with no specific requirements for gender.

[0037] White moth larvae: collected from Shenyang area, artificially bred population in the Biological Control Laboratory of the Forestry College of Shenyang Agricultural University.

[0038] Yellow powder beetle larvae were purchased from the flower, bird, insect and fish market, and artificially bred in the Biological Control Laboratory of the Forestry College of Shenyang Agricultural University.

[0039] Example 1

[0040] (1) In each test device ( Figure 1 ) were released with different numbers (200, 220, 240, 260, 280, and 300) of 1st instar larvae of the gypsy moth, and each treatment group was repeated 5 times.

[0041] (2) Starving the adults of the schizontidae for 24 hours, after which the adults of the schizontidae are placed one by one into the test devices prepared in step (1), with one adult of the schizontidae being placed in each device. All the test devices are placed in an artificial climate chamber, and the temperature of the artificial climate chamber is controlled to be 24±1°C and the humidity to be 70%±5%.

[0042] (3) 24 hours after the release of adult scimitars, the number of remaining 1st instar larvae of the gypsy moth in each group was observed and recorded, and the average daily predation of scimitars adults on different numbers of 1st instar larvae of the gypsy moth was calculated. The number of 1st instar larvae of the gypsy moth that died naturally in the control group (i.e., the group without adult scimitars) was used for correction to eliminate the influence of larval death caused by non-predation factors on the experimental results. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0043] Table 1 The amount of prey preyed by the cricket under different prey densities

[0044]

[0045] Note: The average daily prey intake in the table is the mean ± standard deviation of 5 replicates (the same as in the following table)

[0046] (4) The present invention adopts the Holling-II disk equation Na = aNT / (1+aT h N) to fit the experimental data to reveal the predation function response relationship between the adults of the schizontidae and the first-instar larvae of the American moth. In this equation, a represents the instantaneous attack rate of the schizontidae, reflecting the predator's ability to attack its prey; T h represents the treatment time, i.e., the time required for an adult of the schizont to prey on a 1st instar larva of the gypsy moth; Na represents the daily prey intake of the schizont per unit time (T=1 day in this embodiment); N represents the density of the prey (1st instar larvae of the gypsy moth); and T represents the test time, which is 1 day in this embodiment.

[0047] The test results are shown in Table 1. By fitting the experimental data with the least squares method, we obtained the functional response equation of the predation of the adults of the schizont on the first-instar larvae of the American moth Na = 2.973N / (1+0.012N). The model data are shown in Table 2. The results show that the predation amount (Na) of the adults of the schizont on the first-instar larvae of the American moth increases with the increase of prey density (N), and the theoretical maximum daily predation amount reaches 246.182 heads. In order to verify the accuracy of the fitting equation, the results were tested by chi-square test. The test results show that χ 2 =0.176, less than χ (0.05，42) =9.49, and the p value is 0.981, which is greater than the significance level of 0.05. Therefore, it can be confirmed that the predation functional response of the adults of the schizontidae on the first-instar larvae of the American moth conforms to the Holling-II disk equation.

[0048] Table 2 Functional response equation of the predation of adults of the genus Pseudococcus on the first instar larvae of the gypsy moth

[0049]

[0050] The results of the predatory functional response of adults of the schizontidae to the first-instar larvae of the gypsy moth are shown in Table 2. When the density of the first-instar larvae of the gypsy moth was low, the prey intake of adults of the schizontidae increased with the increase of prey density; however, when the prey density reached a certain level, due to the limitation of the processing capacity or satiation of adults of the schizontidae, its prey intake tended to be stable and no longer increased significantly with the further increase of prey density.

[0051] The present invention further establishes a search effect equation. According to the experimental data of predator functional response, the search effect equation is S = a / (1+aT h N), a represents the instantaneous attack rate of the cricket, reflecting the predator's ability to attack its prey; T h represents the treatment time; Na represents the daily prey intake of the schizont in unit time; N represents the density of prey; T represents the test time, and the search effect constant S is calculated. The search effect of the schizont adult on the first-instar larvae of the American moth is: S = 2.973 / (1+0.012N); Figure 3 It can be seen intuitively that within the prey density range of 200-300 heads, as the prey density increases, the searching effect of the adults of the ball-eared caterpillar on the first-instar larvae of the gypsy moth gradually decreases.

[0052] By establishing a predation functional response model and a searching effect model, the predation ability of the ball earwig on the gypsy moth was clarified. The results showed that the theoretical maximum daily predation amount of the ball earwig adult on the 1st instar larvae of the gypsy moth was about 246, that is, one ball earwig adult could prevent and control 246 1st instar larvae of the gypsy moth in a single day.

[0053] Example 2

[0054] (1) Selection of collection time and location: Collection should be conducted during the active period of the magpie (June to September each year). The magpie is nocturnal, avoids light and prefers warmth. During the day, it hides in sunny and dark places. It is often found under loose bark, in bark cracks, and in curled diseased leaves. At night, it is active among branches and trunks to hunt. The magpie can prey on a variety of agricultural and forestry pests. Selecting trees with more pests and diseases as collection targets can improve collection efficiency.

[0055] (2) Manual collection: During the day, conduct a detailed search on the sunny side of the tree, at the ends of small branches, on the backs of leaves, and other places that are not exposed to light, to improve collection efficiency.

[0056] (3) Trapping and collection: Use a simple paper tube trapping device for trapping. Use a piece of paper with a size of 4×8 cm, fold it in half along the short side and nail the side and end tightly to form a flat and open tube structure. Nail the trapping device firmly to the branches and leaves of sunny shrubs or trees with a height of 1 to 1.5 meters, making sure that the opening of the paper tube faces the trunk or branches to facilitate the entry of the ball-headed caterpillar. Set 2 to 4 trapping points on each tree. After the trapping device is set up for 1 day, the trapping success rate is about 38.89%. The trapping device is simple in design, low in cost, and reusable. The trapping effect can be further improved by regularly replacing the trapping trees.

[0057] In mid-August 2024, three trapping operations were conducted, using 30 devices each time, with an interval of three days between each operation, and a total of 35 ball-eared caterpillars were trapped.

[0058] Example 3

[0059] The earwig is a predatory insect with chewing mouthparts. In the natural state, it feeds on agricultural and forestry pests, mainly aphids and Lepidoptera larvae, and various insect eggs. Other earwigs of the same order Dermaptera have also been recorded to feed on fruits and rotten animal carcasses. Since it is difficult, costly, and complicated to breed agricultural and forestry pests such as aphids and gypsy moths indoors, the present invention uses cheap and easily available silkworm larvae, young yellow powder beetle larvae, yellow powder beetle larvae cut into pieces, and apple chunks for screening alternative feeds. The test is set up as follows: first, four feeds are placed at the four vertices of a 10×10×6.5 cm square box, and the earwig that has been starved for 24 hours is placed in the middle of the bottom of the box, the lid is closed, and the type of feed that the earwig first eats is recorded. Repeat 20 times.

[0060] In the experiment, all 20 crickets fed on the cut segments of yellow powder beetles. It was observed that the crickets began to feed on the body fluids of the cut segments of yellow powder beetles when they came into contact with them. The possible reason is that the body fluids of the cut segments of yellow powder beetles are nutritious, and they will not struggle, so the hunting risk is low. In addition, the crickets had tentative attacks on silkworms. After being attacked, the silkworm larvae resisted violently, and the crickets left. When the crickets came into contact with young yellow powder beetle larvae, the yellow powder beetle larvae became violently active, and the crickets had defensive behaviors. At the same time, the cuticle of the yellow powder beetle larvae may be thicker, and the crickets had a low willingness to prey, and no attack was observed. The humidity and sweetness of apple pieces may have attracted the crickets, but no feeding behavior or feeding traces were observed.

[0061] Example 4

[0062] (1) Breeding device: The batch breeding device of the ball-eared caterpillar adopts a square insect box ( Figure 5), consisting of a lid and a body, with an overall size of 17cm long, 11cm wide and 6.5cm high. There are at least two circular holes with a diameter of 1cm on the lid, each of which is buckled with a 3000-mesh metal mesh, which not only ensures air circulation but also prevents the escape of the worm. The interior of the insect box is vertically separated by a 4cm high plastic sheet in the middle 1 / 2 position of the bottom length direction, forming two independent spaces: the feeding area and the habitat area. The vertical surface of the plastic sheet is treated with hot melt adhesive to increase the roughness, which is conducive to the climbing of the worm. In the habitat area, a 3cm thick soil layer is set near one edge to maintain humidity. 3-5 pieces of naturally dried and chemically untreated bark are stacked on top of the soil layer, providing a safe and natural hiding place for the worm. The feeding area is located on the other side opposite to the habitat area, and is used to place mealworm segments or other suitable feed. The material of the insect box is transparent or translucent.

[0063] (2) Breeding conditions: Breeding at 24±1°C and 70%±5% humidity; the number of crickets in each square insect box is controlled between 10 and 20. The density of crickets in the box can be appropriately increased according to the number of stacked barks, preferably 5 pieces of bark and 15-16 crickets; the male-female ratio is set to 1-2:1-2 to maintain the gender balance of the population and promote natural mating and reproduction, preferably 1:1.

[0064] (3) Feed management: During the day, the maggots hide in the cracks of the bark and are inactive. The feed area should be cleaned and replaced at this time. Fresh yellow mealworm segments should be placed in the feed area. The yellow mealworm segments should be 1 / 2 of the 10-year-old yellow mealworm larvae. The ratio of yellow mealworm larvae to maggots should be maintained at 1:1. The feed should be replaced every 1-3 days, preferably every day.

[0065] The density was set to 10 heads / box, 15 heads / box, and 20 heads / box, and the male-female ratio was 1:1. The above method was used for feeding, and the survival rate was shown in Table 3:

[0066] Table 3 Survival rate of Psoralea corylifolia under different density conditions

[0067]

[0068] (4) Reproduction management: Before laying eggs, the abdomen of female worms will swell significantly due to the development of eggs in the ovaries. At the same time, the appetite of female individuals will decrease significantly and the amount of food they eat will decrease. To ensure the success rate of reproduction, female individuals that are about to lay eggs need to be separated into boxes and transferred to round insect boxes ( Figure 6 ) by lowering the temperature to -4 to 4°C to induce females into egg-laying mode.

[0069] The split box method can choose to raise a single female insect independently, or use a method of one male and one female, preferably a 1:1 pairing method of male and female. Male worms have nest-building behavior, and female worms have egg-guarding behavior. Each female worm lays 43-66 eggs, with an average egg-laying amount of 54.28 eggs (n=7). Avoid human interference after laying eggs. Female worms have the phenomenon of eating eggs after being disturbed many times.

[0070] (5) After laying eggs, incubate them at a humidity of 60±10%. The first-hatched nymphs eat the unhatched eggs, and the hatching rate is above 70%. After the eggs are hatched, the nymphs are raised at 24±1°C and a humidity of 70%±5%, and are regularly fed with yellow powder beetle segments. The development time from 1st to 4th instar is about 12, 20, 14, and 19 days. After the 3rd instar, they are placed in the device of step (1) for separate box rearing.

[0071] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. All equivalent changes and modifications made according to the scope of the patent application of the present invention should fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A type of cricket ( Forficula vicaria ), characterized in that: The following steps are involved: (1) Placing the collected worms in a square insect box for batch breeding; (2) The female crickets with mature eggs are separated into boxes and stimulated to lay eggs through low temperature; (3) After hatching under suitable conditions, it takes 63 to 68 days for the caterpillar to develop into an adult.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that In step (1), the ball-eared caterpillars are collected during the active period from June to September each year, and the collection method is as follows: when collecting by hand, a detailed search is conducted in the shaded places on the sunny side of the tree during the day, such as the curled leaves of small branches and the back of leaves; or, a trapping collection method is adopted, using a special trapping device, which is a 4×8 cm paper piece folded along the short side to form a cylindrical structure with a flat end and an open end, and the device is firmly nailed to the branches and leaves of shrubs or trees 1 to 1.5 meters high, and 2 to 4 trapping points are set on each tree; After setting the trap, retrieve and check it regularly to obtain the trapped ball-eaters.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that In the step (1), the square insect box is divided into two areas, one side is covered with a 2-4 cm thick soil layer and shelters are placed to provide a habitat and shelter for the ball-eared crickets; and yellow powder beetle larvae are regularly placed as a food source for the ball-eared crickets to ensure their adequate food supply.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step (1), the size of the square insect box is 17 cm×11 cm×6.5 cm, the number of crickets in each square insect box is 10-20, preferably 15-16; the male-female ratio is 1-2:1-2, preferably 1:

1.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that In the step (1), 1 / 2 cut pieces of yellow mealworm larvae are used as yellow mealworm larvae over 10 years old, and the ratio of the cut pieces of yellow mealworm larvae to the schizontidae is 1:

1.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that In step (2), the physiological characteristics of the female schizontidae before laying eggs are observed, such as obvious swelling of the abdomen, reduced food intake, etc., to identify whether it is about to lay eggs; the female schizontidae that are about to lay eggs are separated into boxes and placed alone or together with a male schizontidae to improve the success rate of reproduction; At the right time, low temperature stimulation can be used, such as placing the female caterpillar that is about to lay eggs in a lower temperature environment to induce it to lay eggs.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that In step (3), during the incubation period, the humidity of the breeding environment is maintained at 55-65%. After the larvae are hatched, conventional breeding is carried out according to the breeding procedures until the larvae grow into adults, completing the entire expansion and propagation process. Specifically, after the eggs are hatched, they are placed at a temperature of 24±1°C and a humidity of 75%±10%, and are regularly fed with cut segments of mature larvae of the yellow powder beetle. When the larvae of the ball beetle grow to the third instar, they are separated and raised in boxes.

8. A method for controlling the gypsy moth, characterized in that: During the period when the gypsy moth occurs, the gypsophila obtained by the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is placed on the host trees of the gypsy moth to prey on the larvae of the gypsy moth and reduce the number of the gypsy moth.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The occurrence period of the gypsy moth is the low-instar larvae stage, preferably the 1st-instar larvae stage; the worm age of the gypsy moth is the 4th-instar nymph or adult, preferably the adult.

10. A method for calculating the theoretical maximum daily predation of the gypsophila cuniculus on the gypsy moth, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: S1: Design the experimental device; The test device comprises a circular breeding box, which is composed of a lower box body (1) and an upper box cover (2). A small piece of mulberry leaf (3) is contained in the lower box body (1), with an area of ​​about 4 cm2. A circular opening with a diameter of 1 cm is opened on the upper box cover (2), and a metal mesh (4) is buckled at the position of the circular opening. The mesh number of the metal mesh (4) is 3000 meshes. S2: placing first-instar larvae of the cunea gypsophila with different density gradients on the mulberry leaves in the experimental device of step S1; S3: starve the adults of the schizontidae for 24 hours, and then place the adults of the schizontidae into the test device of step S2. The test device containing the schizontidae and the gypsy moth is placed in an artificial climate incubator with a temperature of 24±1°C and a humidity of 75%±10%. S4: After the adults of the schizontidae were released for 24 hours, the average daily predation of the schizontidae on different numbers of 1st instar larvae of the gypsy moth was counted. The Holling-II disk equation was used to fit the data, establish a predation functional response model, and calculate the theoretical maximum daily predation of the adults of the schizontidae.

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