Recognition of oviposition-deterring allomones by aphidophagous predators (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae, Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Females of Coccinella septempunctata L. were deterred from ovipositing at sites previously exposed to larvae of C. septempunctata or Chrysopa oculata Say. If aphidophagous predators can respond to one another's deterring allomone then they may avoid competing for prey. The deterrent effect from exposure to C. septempunctata or C. oculata larvae considerably decreased when contaminated sites were kept in open air for 24 h. Females of C. oculata avoided ovipositing at sites exposed to larvae of C. oculata, but the deterrent effect of sites exposed to larvae of C. septempunctata was negligible.