Abundance of natural enemies of Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) on three cultivars of sweet alyssum

Abstract

AbstractThe southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula is one of the most serious pests of tomatoes in Florida. During 2014 and 2015 tomato cropping seasons, three cultivars of sweet alyssum, Lobularia maritima (Brassicales: Brassicaceae) were evaluated in north Florida to determine their effectiveness in conserving the natural enemies of the southern green stink bug in open field conditions. The experimental refuge crops were cultivated on two outer rows and one center row of the tomato crop. Each section of the rows of trap crops and refuge crops was 20 × 3 ft. (6 × 0.91 m) in size. Pest insects and their natural enemies were collected weekly and identified. On refuge crops, big‐eyed bug, Geocoris punctipes (Hemiptera: Geocoridae); minute pirate bug, Orius insidiosus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), ladybird beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinelidae), assassin bugs (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), damsel bugs (Hemiptera: Nabidae), hover flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) and spiders (Arachnida) were collected. All cultivars of L. maritima attracted the natural enemies of the southern green stink bug; however ‘carpet of snow’ was the most effective cultivar followed by ‘tall white’ in attracting G. punctipes in the tomato crop. N. viridula population first peaked in July and declined in week 11 and then had a sharp increase in weeks 12 and 13 when G. punctipes population was comparatively high. Data on the availability of suitable refuge crops which provide nectar and shelter to natural enemies are useful for integrated pest management of the southern green stinkbug, because these plants provide necessary resources to conserve beneficial species.