Life‐history parameters and predation capacity of Macrolophus pygmaeus and Nesidiocoris tenuis (Hemiptera: Miridae) on eggs of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

Abstract

1 The life-history parameters and predation capacity of Macrolophus pygmaeus Rambur and Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Miridae) fed on eggs of Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) at 25 ∘ C were investigated in the laboratory and analyzed based on the age-stage, two-sex life table. Also, we evaluated the survival and the duration of different stages of these two predators on cabbage plants without prey. 2 The developmental times of different stages of M. pygmaeus and N. tenuis fed on the eggs of P. xylostella were significantly different. The nymphs of N. tenuis only survived until the fourth instar without prey, and nymphs of M. pygmaeus succeeded in completing the third instar without prey. 3 The population and predation parameters of the two predators were statistically different. The total consumption rate of the two predators during the oviposition period was higher than the total consumption rate during the post oviposition period and the total preoviposition period. 4 The highest predation rates for female adults of N. tenuis and M. pygmaeus were on days 33 and 31, respectively. 5 The nymphs of N. tenuis only survived until the fourth instar without prey, and nymphs of M. pygmaeus succeeded in completing the third instar.

Exploring the potential for the selective breeding of Nesidiocoris Tenuis: A study of its genetics and feeding behavior

“…Its ability to feed upon several pest species is one of the reasons for its success as BCA. It has been reported to feed on whiteflies, lepidopteran eggs and larvae, thrips, spider mites, leaf miners and aphids (Bhatt and Patel, 2018;Calvo et al, 2009;Calvo and Urbaneja, 2004;Desneux et al, 2010;Ebrahimi et al, 2019;Pérez-Hedo and Urbaneja, 2016;Zappalà et al, 2013). In particular, the increase in the use of N. tenuis in southern Spain was driven by the appearance of the invasive pest Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in 2006, which prompted IPM programs with mirid predators an as essential strategy (Urbaneja et al, 2012).…”

“…Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Miridae) is a zoophytophagous predator widely used to control important pests in some Mediterranean and Asiatic regions (Pérez-Hedo and Pérez-Hedo et al, 2020;van Lenteren, 2012). Its success as a biocontrol agent in tomato crops arises mainly from its ability to prey upon several arthropods (Bhatt and Patel, 2018;Calvo et al, 2009;Calvo and Urbaneja, 2004;Desneux et al, 2010;Ebrahimi et al, 2019;Urbaneja et al, 2005;Zappalà et al, 2013) and its capacity to trigger plant defenses through its interaction with the host plant via feeding and oviposition activities (Naselli et al, 2016;Pérez-Hedo et al, 2018, 2015b, 2015a.…”