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Yiacoumi E, Kouloussis NA, Koveos DS. Effect of Sex, Age and Temperature on the Functional Response of Macrolophus pygmaeus Ramber and Nesidiocoris tenuis Reuter (Heteroptera: Miridae) on Eggs of Tuta absoluta. INSECTS 2024; 15:485. [PMID: 39057218 PMCID: PMC11277062 DOI: 10.3390/insects15070485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2024] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
The predatory mirids Macrolophus pygmaeus Ramber (Heteroptera: Miridae) and Nesidiocoris tenuis Reuter (Heteroptera: Miridae) are used for the biological control of Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) and other pests in tomato greenhouses. The functional response of 1-day-old (young) and 10-day-old (old) adult females and males of M. pygmaeus and N. tenuis on eggs of T. absoluta was determined on tomato at two temperatures (20 °C and 25 °C) and LD 16:8. Females of M. pygmaeus exhibited higher predation efficiency than males at both tested temperatures. Young M. pygmaeus females had a higher efficiency than old ones, whereas males had a low efficiency irrespective of age. The predation efficiency of N. tenuis was high (but lower than M. pygmaeus) in both young females and males, although old females had a higher efficiency than the respective males. Our results show that the two predatory species have different functional response characteristics to their prey depending mainly on sex and age, which may affect their role as biological control agents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dimitrios S. Koveos
- Laboratory of Applied Zoology and Parasitology, School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (E.Y.); (N.A.K.)
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Pazyuk IM, Dolgovskaya MY, Reznik SY, Musolin DL. Storing up Treasures: Storage Potential of Macrolophus pygmaeus (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae) Nymphs for Application in Biological Control. INSECTS 2024; 15:414. [PMID: 38921129 PMCID: PMC11203828 DOI: 10.3390/insects15060414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Long-term storage is an important component of insect mass-rearing systems, prolonging the shelf life of biocontrol agents during a low-demand period or a temporary lack of suitable food. Macrolophus pygmaeus is a predatory heteropteran, mass-reared and widely used for the biological control of arthropod pests in greenhouses. With the aim to determine the optimal conditions and acceptable duration of cold storage, we evaluated the impact of different periods of storage of fed and starved third instar nymphs of M. pygmaeus at different temperatures on nymphal survival, adult emergence, and female fecundity. Four storage temperatures (3, 6, 9, and 12 °C) were tested. The longevity of starved nymphs decreased with an increase in the storage temperature, with a maximum of about 40 days at 3 °C, whereas the longest lifetime of nymphs fed on eggs of the grain moth Sitotroga cerealella (about 150 days) was observed at 9 °C. Further experiments demonstrated that the third instar nymphs of M. pygmaeus fed with eggs of the grain moth can be stored at 9 °C for 30 days, with a moderate (10-20%) decrease in survival and fecundity, whereas the survival of starved nymphs decreased by half after 10 days of storage at 3 °C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina M. Pazyuk
- All-Russian Institute of Plant Protection, Russian Academy of Sciences, Podbelskogo sh. 3, Pushkin, 196608 Saint Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Margarita Y. Dolgovskaya
- Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Universitetskaya nab. 1, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia; (M.Y.D.); (S.Y.R.)
| | - Sergey Y. Reznik
- Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Universitetskaya nab. 1, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia; (M.Y.D.); (S.Y.R.)
| | - Dmitrii L. Musolin
- European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO/OEPP), 21 boulevard Richard Lenoir, 75011 Paris, France
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Meijer D, Hopkoper S, Weldegergis BT, Westende WV, Gort G, van Loon JJA, Dicke M. Effects of far-red light on the behaviour and reproduction of the zoophytophagous predator Macrolophus pygmaeus and its interaction with a whitefly herbivore. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2024; 47:187-196. [PMID: 37705240 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Plants can detect neighbouring plants through a reduction in the ratio between red and far-red light (R:FR). This provides a signal of plant-plant competition and induces rapid plant growth while inhibiting defence against biotic stress, two interlinked responses designated as the shade avoidance syndrome (SAS). Consequently, the SAS can influence plant-herbivore interactions that could cascade to higher trophic levels. However, little is known about how the expression of the SAS can influence tritrophic interactions. We investigated whether changes in R:FR affect the emission of herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs), and whether these changes influence the attraction of the zoophytophagous predator Macrolophus pygmaeus. We also studied how the expression of the SAS and subsequent inhibition of plant defences affects the reproduction of M. pygmaeus in both the presence and absence of the greenhouse whitefly (WF) (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) as arthropod prey. The results show that changes in R:FR have little effect on HIPV emissions and predator attraction. However, a reduction in R:FR leads to increased reproduction of both the predator and the WFs. We discuss that shade avoidance responses can increase the population development of M. pygmaeus through a combination of reduced plant defences and increased herbivore densities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davy Meijer
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Syb Hopkoper
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Wendy Van't Westende
- Laboratory of Plant Breeding, Wageningen University, AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Gerrit Gort
- Biometris, Wageningen University, AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Joop J A van Loon
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel Dicke
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Meijer D, van der Vleut J, Weldegergis BT, Costaz T, Duarte MVA, Pekas A, van Loon JJA, Dicke M. Effects of far-red light on tritrophic interactions between the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) and the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis on tomato. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2023; 79:1820-1828. [PMID: 36641545 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of light-emitting diode (LED) lights in horticulture allows growers to adjust the light spectrum to optimize crop production and quality. However, changes in light quality can also influence plant-arthropod interactions, with possible consequences for pest management. The addition of far-red light has been shown to interfere with plant immunity, thereby increasing plant susceptibility to biotic stress and increasing pest performance. Far-red light also influences plant emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and might thus influence tritrophic interactions with biological control agents. We investigated how far-red light influences the VOC-mediated attraction of the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis to tomato plants infested with Tetranychus urticae, and its ability to control T. urticae populations. RESULTS Far-red light significantly influences herbivore-induced VOC emissions of tomato plants, characterized by a change in relative abundance of terpenoids, but this did not influence the attraction of P. persimilis to herbivore-induced plants. Supplemental far-red light led to an increased population growth of T. urticae and increased numbers of P. persimilis. This resulted in a stronger suppression of T. urticae populations under supplemental far-red light, to similar T. urticae numbers as in control conditions without supplemental far-red light. CONCLUSION We conclude that supplemental far-red light can change herbivore-induced VOC emissions but does not interfere with the attraction of the predator P. persimilis. Moreover, far-red light stimulates biological control of spider mites in glasshouse tomatoes due to increased population build-up of the biocontrol agent. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davy Meijer
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jaimie van der Vleut
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Biobest Group N.V., R&D Department, Westerlo, Belgium
| | | | - Thibault Costaz
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Joop J A van Loon
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel Dicke
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Farina A, Massimino Cocuzza GE, Suma P, Rapisarda C. Can Macrolophus pygmaeus (Hemiptera: Miridae) Mitigate the Damage Caused to Plants by Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)? INSECTS 2023; 14:164. [PMID: 36835733 PMCID: PMC9965712 DOI: 10.3390/insects14020164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Nowadays, in protected vegetable crops, pest management based mainly on biological control represents the most sustainable alternative to pesticide use. The cotton whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, is one of the key pests that negatively impact the yield and quality of such crops in many agricultural systems. The predatory bug Macrolophus pygmaeus is one of the main natural enemies of the whitefly and is widely used for its control. However, the mirid can sometimes behave as a pest itself, causing damage to crops. In this study, we investigated the impact of M. pygmaeus as a plant feeder, by analyzing the combined impact of the whitefly pest and the predator bug on the morphology and physiology of potted eggplants under laboratory conditions. Our results showed no statistical differences between the heights of plants infested by the whitefly or by both insects compared with noninfested control plants. However, indirect chlorophyll content, photosynthetic performance, leaf area, and shoot dry weight were all greatly reduced in plants infested only by B. tabaci, compared with those infested by both pest and predator or with noninfested control plants. Contrarily, root area and dry weight values were more reduced in plants exposed to both of the insect species, compared with those infested only by the whitefly or compared with noninfested control plants, where the latter showed the highest values. These results show how the predator can significantly reduce the negative effects of B. tabaci infestation, limiting the damage it causes to host plants, though the effect of the mirid bug on the underground parts of the eggplant remains unclear. This information might be useful for a better understanding of the role that M. pygmaeus plays in plant growth, as well as for the development of management strategies to successfully control infestations by B. tabaci in cropping environments.
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A biocontrol agent as a commensal in a plant-pest interaction. Ecol Modell 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2022.109957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Half Friend, Half Enemy? Comparative Phytophagy between Two Dicyphini Species (Hemiptera: Miridae). INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13020175. [PMID: 35206748 PMCID: PMC8874493 DOI: 10.3390/insects13020175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Despite their importance as biological control agents, zoophytophagous dicyphine mirids can produce economically important damage. We evaluated the phytophagy and potential impact on tomato plants of Dicyphus cerastii and Nesidiocoris tenuis. We developed a study in three parts: (i) a semi-field trial to characterize the type of plant damage produced by these species on caged tomato plants; (ii) a laboratory experiment to assess the effect of fruit ripeness, mirid age, and prey availability on feeding injuries on fruit; and (iii) a laboratory assay to compare the position of both species on either fruit or plants, over time. Both species produced plant damage, however, although both species produced scar punctures on leaves and necrotic patches on petioles, only N. tenuis produced necrotic rings. Both species caused flower abortion at a similar level. Overall, N. tenuis females produced more damage to tomato fruit than D. cerastii. There was an increased frequency of D. cerastii females found on the plants over time, which did not happen with N. tenuis. Our results suggested that, although D. cerastii caused less damage to fruit than N. tenuis, it still fed on them and could cause floral abortion, which requires field evaluation and caution in its use in biological control strategies.
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Zhang NX, Stephan JG, Björkman C, Puentes A. Global change calls for novel plant protection: reviewing the potential of omnivorous plant-inhabiting arthropods as predators and plant defence inducers. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2021; 47:103-110. [PMID: 34146735 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2021.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Global change poses new challenges for pest management. Omnivorous predatory arthropods play an important role in pest management, yet their potential has not been fully explored. Not only do they consume prey, but their plant-feeding induces plant defences that decrease herbivores' performance, and increases production of volatiles that attract natural enemies. Growing evidence from different plant-arthropod systems indicates the generality of plant defence induction following omnivore plant-feeding. Furthermore, these responses appear to affect other organisms (e.g. plant viruses), altering multi-trophic interactions. Here, we review the dual role of omnivores (as predators and plant inducers), identify knowledge gaps and provide future perspectives to increase our understanding of omnivores' multiple functions, and how this can be applied to advance plant protection strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Xiaoning Zhang
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 7044, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jörg G Stephan
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SLU Swedish Species Information Centre, Almas allé 8E, SE-756 51 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Christer Björkman
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 7044, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Adriana Puentes
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 7044, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
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Beneficial Insects Deliver Plant Growth-Promoting Bacterial Endophytes between Tomato Plants. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9061294. [PMID: 34198479 PMCID: PMC8231829 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9061294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Beneficial insects and mites, including generalist predators of the family Miridae, are widely used in biocontrol programs against many crop pests, such as whiteflies, aphids, lepidopterans and mites. Mirid predators frequently complement their carnivore diet by feeding plant sap with their piercing-sucking mouthparts. This implies that mirids may act as vectors of phytopathogenic and beneficial microorganisms, such as plant growth-promoting bacterial endophytes. This work aimed at understanding the role of two beneficial mirids (Macrolophus pygmaeus and Nesidiocoris tenuis) in the acquisition and transmission of two plant growth-promoting bacteria, Paraburkholderia phytofirmans strain PsJN (PsJN) and Enterobacter sp. strain 32A (32A). Both bacterial strains were detected on the epicuticle and internal body of both mirids at the end of the mirid-mediated transmission. Moreover, both mirids were able to transmit PsJN and 32A between tomato plants and these bacterial strains could be re-isolated from tomato shoots after mirid-mediated transmission. In particular, PsJN and 32A endophytically colonised tomato plants and moved from the shoots to roots after mirid-mediated transmission. In conclusion, this study provided novel evidence for the acquisition and transmission of plant growth-promoting bacterial endophytes by beneficial mirids.
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Roda A, Castillo J, Allen C, Urbaneja A, Pérez-Hedo M, Weihman S, Stansly PA. Biological Control Potential and Drawbacks of Three Zoophytophagous Mirid Predators against Bemisia tabaci in the United States. INSECTS 2020; 11:E670. [PMID: 33019565 PMCID: PMC7600543 DOI: 10.3390/insects11100670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Miridae (Hemiptera) of the tribe Dicyphini are important zoophytophagous predators use to control pest arthropods in vegetable crops. However, the risk that their herbivory may cause economic damage could hinder their application as useful biocontrol agents and may limit the likelihood they would meet regulatory requirements for importation. We conducted field cage studies to assess the predation capacity and tomato plant damage of three mirid species established in south USA, a known biocontrol agent (Nesidiocoris tenuis), and two native species (Macrolophus praeclarus and Engytatus modestus). All three species significantly reduced the number of whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) on tomato plants compared to tomato plants without mirids. More damage, evaluated as the number of necrotic rings, was observed on tomato plants with E. modestus and N. tenuis compared to M. praeclarus. In our experiments that included sesame plants (Sesamum indicum) with tomato plants, mirid numbers increased despite a low number of prey, thus showing a benefit of the plant-feeding habit of these predators. USA's established mirids may therefore prove to be immediately available biological agents for the management of present and future tomato pests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Roda
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine, Science and Technology, Miami, FL 33158, USA; (C.A.); (S.W.)
| | - Jose Castillo
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Immokalee, FL 34142, USA; (J.C.); (P.A.S.)
| | - Carina Allen
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine, Science and Technology, Miami, FL 33158, USA; (C.A.); (S.W.)
| | - Alberto Urbaneja
- Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias (IVIA), Centro de Protección Vegetal y Biotecnología, Unidad de Entomología, Carretera CV-315, Km 10′7, 46113 Moncada, Spain; (A.U.); (M.P.-H.)
| | - Meritxell Pérez-Hedo
- Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias (IVIA), Centro de Protección Vegetal y Biotecnología, Unidad de Entomología, Carretera CV-315, Km 10′7, 46113 Moncada, Spain; (A.U.); (M.P.-H.)
| | - Scott Weihman
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine, Science and Technology, Miami, FL 33158, USA; (C.A.); (S.W.)
| | - Philip A. Stansly
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Immokalee, FL 34142, USA; (J.C.); (P.A.S.)
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Ricupero M, Abbes K, Haddi K, Kurtulus A, Desneux N, Russo A, Siscaro G, Biondi A, Zappalà L. Combined thermal and insecticidal stresses on the generalist predator Macrolophus pygmaeus. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 729:138922. [PMID: 32498167 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Ecotoxicological risk assessments of pesticides on non-target arthropods are often carried out under constant and optimal temperature regimes. However, living organisms rarely experience these conditions in real field situations. Understanding the impact of pesticides on non-target beneficial arthropods under temperature stresses is especially important in terms of global warming. We assessed the lethal and sublethal effects of four modern insecticides (chlorantraniliprole, cyantraniliprole, spinetoram, spinosad), on the generalist predator Macrolophus pygmaeus (Hemiptera: Miridae) under a range of temperatures (from 10 to 40°C) frequently experienced in a real field scenario. A reduction coefficient (Ex) was calculated by summarizing the mortality and predator reproductive capacity and, the chemicals were classified according to the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC) toxicity classes. The insecticides showed a marked synergistic effect with temperature, as the predator mortality and reproductive outputs were significantly correlated with increasing temperatures. Spinosyns interacted significantly with temperature causing the highest mortality and lowest fertility rates. Anthranilic diamides showed a safer ecotoxicological profile compared to spinosyns, with cyantraniliprole being more harmful than chlorantraniliprole. These results suggest that temperature should be taken into account in pesticide ecotoxicology studies within the framework of integrated pest management and the recent climate changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Ricupero
- University of Catania, Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Catania, Italy
| | - Khaled Abbes
- University of Catania, Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Catania, Italy; University of Sousse, High Agronomic Institute of Chott-Mariem, 4042, Chott-Mariem, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Khalid Haddi
- University of Catania, Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Catania, Italy; Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), Department of Entomology, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Alican Kurtulus
- University of Catania, Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Catania, Italy; Cukurova University, Agricultural Faculty, Department of Plant Protection, 01330 Adana, Turkey
| | - Nicolas Desneux
- Université Côte d'Azur, INRAE, CNRS, UMR ISA, 06000 Nice, France
| | - Agatino Russo
- University of Catania, Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Catania, Italy
| | - Gaetano Siscaro
- University of Catania, Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Catania, Italy
| | - Antonio Biondi
- University of Catania, Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Catania, Italy
| | - Lucia Zappalà
- University of Catania, Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Catania, Italy.
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12
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Kean JM, Mansfield S, Hardwick S, Barton DM. A risk-based detection survey for the predatory mirid Macrolophus pygmaeus in New Zealand. BULLETIN OF ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2020; 110:370-378. [PMID: 31735172 DOI: 10.1017/s0007485319000749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Macrolophus pygmaeus, a predatory mirid used to manage greenhouse whitefly, was illegally imported into New Zealand, and for a time was reared and sold to commercial tomato growers. We designed and implemented a risk-based detection survey to determine whether M. pygmaeus was still present in New Zealand a decade later. The survey was designed to have an 80% chance of detecting a single low density (0.05 per lineal metre of host plants) population within 1 km of known points of introduction. The survey was implemented between 8 and 15 March 2018. Local habitat constraints meant that the planned sampling had to be modified but this was accounted for in the subsequent analysis. No M. pygmaeus were found in the samples, but 93 specimens from seven other mirid taxa were detected, validating the sample methods. The survey gives 60% confidence that M. pygmaeus was not present at a mean density of 0.05 per lineal metre of habitat. It gives 80% confidence that a population at 0.1 m-1 was not present and 90% confidence that no population exists at >0.18 m-1. Though there are no published data on typical field population densities of M. pygmaeus, for related species the survey would have had high confidence in detecting any medium to high density population present. Therefore, it is likely that M. pygmaeus is no longer present in New Zealand, but if extant within the sampled areas then we have high certainty that it was at low densities compared to other predaceous mirids.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M Kean
- AgResearch Ltd, Ruakura Research Centre, 10 Bisley Road, Hamilton3214, New Zealand
| | - Sarah Mansfield
- AgResearch Ltd, Lincoln Research Centre, 1365 Springs Road, Lincoln 7674, New Zealand
| | - Scott Hardwick
- AgResearch Ltd, Lincoln Research Centre, 1365 Springs Road, Lincoln 7674, New Zealand
| | - Diane M Barton
- AgResearch Ltd, Invermay Agricultural Centre, 176 Puddle Alley, Mosgiel 9092, New Zealand
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Eschweiler J, van Holstein-Saj R, Kruidhof HM, Schouten A, Messelink GJ. Tomato Inoculation With a Non-pathogenic Strain of Fusarium oxysporum Enhances Pest Control by Changing the Feeding Preference of an Omnivorous Predator. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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14
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Maselou DA, Anastasaki E, Milonas PG. The Role of Host Plants, Alternative Food Resources and Herbivore Induced Volatiles in Choice Behavior of an Omnivorous Predator. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2018.00241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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