Abstract
The influence of cucumber offered as a host plant either alone or with Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae) was studied on the various life table and biological characteristics of the predatory bug Macrolophus pygmaeus Rambur (Hemiptera: Miridae). The nymphal development was studied at 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35°C while adult performance was assessed at 15, 20, 25 and 30°C, using a 16L : 8D photoperiod and 65 ± 5% r.h. Nymphs completed their development at all temperatures except at 35°C. Nymphal development took significantly longer time in the absence than in the presence of prey at 20 and 25°C, but the reverse was true at 15°C. Nymphal mortality was highest at 15°C in the presence of prey and it was mainly recorded at the first and second stages. Females oviposited a small number of eggs at all temperatures but not at 30°C in the absence of prey. The average number of eggs per female was almost similar with or without prey, being highest at 20°C, and adult longevity was highest at 15°C. The results concerning population parameters clearly showed that cucumber with or without prey can not support a population increase of M. pygmaeus. However, it seems that A. gossypii on cucumber inhibits development of M. pygmaeus more than when this aphid species is not present. This adverse effect on this host plant-prey system possibly results from the particular aphid genotype on cucumber, leading to high nymphal mortality, reduced fecundity and short adult life-span of M. pygmaeus.
Highlights
Predatory bugs of the genus Macrolophus (Hemiptera: Miridae) have been considered as important natural ene mies in suppressing whitefly and aphid populations on vegetables (Goula & Alomar, 1994; Malausa & TrottinCaudal, 1996; Lykouressis et al, 1999-2000)
In an effort to obtain a more complete knowledge of the factors involved in the predator’s behaviour and effec tiveness as a natural enemy of A. gossypii on cucumber, its ability to utilize both prey and plant material indicates that its performance should be studied with and without the presence of prey
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)
Summary
Predatory bugs of the genus Macrolophus (Hemiptera: Miridae) have been considered as important natural ene mies in suppressing whitefly and aphid populations on vegetables (Goula & Alomar, 1994; Malausa & TrottinCaudal, 1996; Lykouressis et al, 1999-2000). These predators exhibit diverse feeding habits, consuming sev eral types of prey (aphids, whiteflies, lepidopteran eggs, thrips) as well as plant sap of vegetables. The thorough investigation of this host plant - prey - predator system could highlight a strategy for a more appropriate use of this predator in future biological control programmes
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