Abstract
Mirid predators are powerful candidates for the control of many different pest species. We studied the prey spectrum of three Neotropical mirids-Macrolophus basicornis (Stal), Engytatus varians (Distant) and Campyloneuropsis infumatus (Carvalho)-and showed that of the 29 pest species occurring on tomato in Brazil, 16 are preyed upon by these mirids. One of the key pests on tomato, the spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch, is difficult to control by predatory mites due to a high density of both glandular and non-glandular trichomes, while these predatory mites are very effective on other crops. Therefore, we were interested if Neotropical mirids would prey on spider mites. The three mirid species were exposed to juvenile and adult spider mites in no-choice and choice tests, and to adult spider mites and nymphs of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci Gennadius, a preferred prey species, in a choice test. Results of the no-choice and choice tests reveal that, based on prey acceptance rates, the mirids prefer adult over juvenile spider mites. The choice tests with adult mites versus whitefly nymphs showed a clear preference for whiteflies above spider mites. During all tests, the behaviour of the predators was continuously observed, which indicated, among others, that they apparently do not see or smell the prey, and only attack after touching it with their rostrum. However, we did observe that they paralyse spider mite prey, because attempts of the mites to escape quickly disappeared and they became quiet after they were pierced by the stylets of the mirid. This study clearly shows that the three Neotropical mirid predators attack and feed on nymphs and adults of the spider mite T. urticae on tomato. The predators continue to do so even in the presence of a preferred prey, nymphs of the whitefly B. tabaci, and might, thus, be used for the control of spider mites on tomato.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 283-289 |
Journal | Bulletin of Insectology |
Volume | 77 |
Issue number | 2 |
Publication status | Published - 2024 |
Keywords
- Campyloneuropsis infumatus
- Engytatus varians
- Macrolophus basicornis
- non-target effects
- predation rate
- prey range of mirids
- prey selection
- Tuta absoluta