Optimizing Nesidiocoris tenuis (Hemiptera: Miridae) as a biological control agent: mathematical models for predicting its development as a function of temperature

Abstract

For optimal application of Nesidiocoris tenuis as a biological control agent, adequate field management and programmed mass rearing are essential. Mathematical models are useful tools for predicting the temperature-dependent developmental rate of the predator. In this study, the linear model and nonlinear models Logan type III, Lactin and Brière were estimated at constant temperatures and validated at alternating temperatures and under field conditions. N. tenuis achieved complete development from egg to adult at constant temperatures between 15 and 35°C with high survivorship (>80%) in the range 18-32°C. The total developmental time decreased from a maximum at 15°C (76.74 d) to a minimum at 33°C (12.67 d) and after that, increased to 35°C (13.98 d). Linear and nonlinear developmental models all had high accuracy (R a 2 >0.86). The maximum developmental rate was obtained between 31.9°C (Logan type III and Brière model for N1) and 35.6°C (for the egg stage in the Brière model). Optimal survival and the highest developmental rate fell within the range 27-30°C. The field validation revealed that the Logan type III and Lactin models offered the best predictions (95.0 and 94.5%, respectively). The data obtained on developmental time and mortality at different temperatures are useful for mass rearing this predator, and the developmental models are valuable for using N. tenuis as a biological control agent.

Temperature-dependent functional response of Nesidiocoris tenuis (Hemiptera: Miridae) to different densities of pupae of cotton whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

“…Among all the species of Dicyphine recorded on vegetable crops in Mediterranean areas N. tenuis is the most thermophilous species (Sanchez et al, 2009). The maximum developmental rate of fi rst instars nymphs and eggs of this predator is reported to be between 31.9 and 35.6°C (Martínez-García et al, 2016), therefore, this predator is expected to be more effi cient at 35°C than at the two lower temperatures used in this study. Due to its searching effi ciency over a broad range of temperatures, especially high temperatures (25-35°C), N. tenuis is potentially a good biological control agent for use against whitefl ies in warm environments such as greenhouses.…”

“…These temperatures were chosen as typical of the minimum, average and maximum temperatures usually recorded during the typical tomato growing season (from September to May) in Mediterranean and MiddleEast unheated greenhouses. Moreover, N. tenuis can complete its development over this temperature range and the optimum temperature for adults is between 20 and 30°C, and their minimum and maximum temperature thresholds for survival are substantially lower and higher than 15 and 35°C, respectively (Sanchez et al, 2009;Martínez-García et al, 2016). Prior to each experiment, 24/48-h old mated females were fed the prey for 24 h and then starved for the following 24 h. Very young and mated females were chosen for this bioassay because females of most predatory Heteroptera need to mate and feed in order to start maturing eggs for reproduction (Legaspi & Legaspi Jr, 2008).…”

Tomato Inoculation With the Endophytic Strain Fusarium solani K Results in Reduced Feeding Damage by the Zoophytophagous Predator Nesidiocoris tenuis

“…Total number of necrotic rings on shoot and leaves as well as the number of live predators on each plant were recorded after 1 week. At this time period, no predator nymphs had hatched as anticipated (Martínez-García et al, 2016). All cages were kept in a climate room (25 ± 0.5 • C, 65 ± 5% RH, and 16L:8D).…”

Jekyll or Hyde? The genome (and more) of Nesidiocoris tenuis, a zoophytophagous predatory bug that is both a biological control agent and a pest

“…This switch to phytophagy has been observed to be inversely proportional to the availability of prey (Sanchez, 2009). Therefore, much of the research thus far has focused on characterizing N. tenuis biology and ecology, classifying the induced damage and attempting to reduce it (Castañé et al ., 2011; Biondi et al ., 2016; Martínez‐García et al ., 2016; Garantonakis et al ., 2018; Urbaneja‐Bernat et al ., 2019; Pérez‐Hedo et al ., 2020). Despite its associated plant damage, N. tenuis is widely used across south‐eastern Spain as it is an efficient agent against the various pests it controls (Arnó et al ., 2010).…”