Abstract
In zoophytophagous predators genetically determined efficiency to exploit either animal or plant resources could lead to diet specialization, and a trade-off between fitness performances on animal and plant diet. Such a trade-off would have important consequences on the efficiency of zoophytophagous species as biocontrol agents. We estimated the genetic basis for zoophagy and nymphal development length and the genetic correlation between these two traits, in the mullein bug, Campylomma verbasci (Meyer) (Hemiptera: Miridae). In the laboratory, we counted the number of spider mites and aphids killed in 24 h by C. verbasci from 12 isogroup lines, and the nymphal development length under a plant and a mixed diet. Among-line variance in the level of zoophagy on both prey was significant and positively correlated. Diet had no significant effect on the mean nymphal development length, but lines differed in nymphal development regardless of the diet. Our results reveal genetic differences in foraging efficiency on prey, which suggest that some genotypes in population of the zoophytophagous mullein bug could provide more benefits in apple orchards.
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