Life table and biological characteristics of Macrolophus pygmaeus when feeding on Myzus persicae and Trialeurodes vaporariorum

Abstract

The life table and biological characteristics of the predatory bug Macrolophus pygmaeus Rambur (Hemiptera: Miridae) were studied when the bugs were fed with Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Homoptera: Aphididae) feeding on eggplant and with Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) feeding on tomato plants. The tests were done at five temperatures between 15 and 30 °C, using a L16:D8 photoperiod and 65 ± 5% r.h. Most eggs (range 85 to 90%) hatched at 15 and 20 °C. Incubation period was shortest at 27.5 °C (8.45 and 8.38 days on eggplant and tomato, respectively). Preoviposition was also shortest at 27.5 °C (5.10 and 4.75 days on eggplant and tomato, respectively) whereas fecundity was highest at 20 °C (213.90 and 228.25 eggs on eggplant and tomato, respectively). Maximum longevity of females was at 15 °C (122.40 and 129.35 days on eggplant and tomato, respectively). Mean generation time was longest at 15 °C on both host plants (122.75 and 124.64 days, respectively). The intrinsic rate of increase of M. pygmaeus was highest at 27.5 °C with similar values on eggplant (0.0981 day−1) and tomato (0.1040 day−1). Doubling time was shortest at 27.5 °C (7.06 and 6.67 days on eggplant and tomato, respectively) and, also, finite rate of increase was highest at 27.5 °C (1.1031 and 1.1096 on eggplant and tomato, respectively). The results show that the predator M. pygmaeus develops well on the aphid M. persicae or on the whitefly T. vaporariorum, both of which are important pests of vegetable crops. This predator is also well adapted to the temperatures that occur both in greenhouses and in the open field in the Mediterranean region. Compared to other natural enemies of whiteflies, such as Encarsia formosa Gahan (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), Macrolophus pygmaeus can increase at relatively low temperatures.

Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae) as a factor inhibiting the survival and population increase of the predator Macrolophus pygmaeus (Hemiptera: Miridae) on cucumber

“…Biological and life table parameters of M.pygmaeus fed on cucumber with A. gossypii, in this study, were inferior to those recorded when the predator was fed with M. persicae on eggplant or T. vaporariorum on tomato (Perdikis & Lykouressis, 2002). This adverse effect was reflected by a high percentage of nymphal mortality, highly reduced fecundity and much shorter adult longevity.…”

“…For the calculation of the population parameters of M. pygmaeus, we used the values for egg incuba tion period and hatching percentage recorded on eggplant with the prey M. persicae, at the respective temperatures. In previous studies Perdikis & Lykouressis, 2002), it was Bars at each temperature followed by different letters differ significantly (P < 0.05).…”

“…Also, a piece of cucumber stem, 3-5 mm in diameter and 6-7 cm long, was placed into each cylinder as an ovipositional substrate. This method is described in detail by Perdikis (2002).…”

“…These predators exhibit diverse feeding habits, consuming sev eral types of prey (aphids, whiteflies, lepidopteran eggs, thrips) as well as plant sap of vegetables. Although they can complete nymphal development feeding solely on plant sap, the role of prey has always been found signifi cant in favoring nymphal development (Tavella & Arzone, 1996;Perdikis & Lykouressis, 2000;Lykouressis et al, 2001;Hommes & ter Horst, 2002;Margaritopoulos et al, 2003) and for the predator's biological and popula tion parameters Perdikis & Lykouressis, 2002).…”

Partial consumption of different species of aphid prey by the predator Macrolophus pygmaeus (Hemiptera: Miridae)

“…Tedeschi et al (1999) report that young nymphs of M. pygmaeus fail to complete their development even though they consume an average 14.8 young nymphs of A. gossypii per day. In fact, A. gossypii is an inferior food source not only for development but more so for reproduction of M. pygmaeus, compared to M. persicae and M. euphorbiae (Perdikis & Lykouressis, 2000, 2002, 2003. Similar results on the suitability of A. gossypii and M. persicae are reported by Fauvel et al (1987).…”