The cotton aphid Aphis gossypii Glover and the green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) are economically important pests with a worldwide distribution. We evaluated the efficacy of releasing a flightless adult strain of the multicolored Asian lady beetle Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) as a control measure against these aphids on green pepper plants in open fields. Flightless H. axyridis adults were observed on the green pepper plants in the releasing plots throughout the experimental period and were found to be effective biocontrol agents, markedly decreasing the numbers of aphids. These results suggest that adults of this flightless strain of H. axyridis are effective in controlling aphids on green pepper plants in open fields.

effect of Orius spp. (Hemiptera : Anthocoridae) on the population density of thrips on green pepper plants covered by a 4-mm mesh net in open field Summary On green pepper plants in open field, thrips increased from the middle of June, whereas, Orius spp. increased in early July. When Orius spp. increased, thrips decreased. Thrips and Orius spp. occured on the plants covered by a 4-mm mesh net, as well as on the plants without a net. It seemed that Orius spp. suppressed thrips population density, on green pepper plants covered by a 4-mm mesh net in open field.

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