Identification and Evaluation of Pink Bollworm Predators in Southern California1

Abstract

A survey revealed that 1 neuropteron, 1 dermapteron, 5 hemiptera, 4 coleoptera and 9 spiders in southern California desert cotton growing areas fed on Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders). All but the spiders fed on pink bollworm eggs, and all fed on 1st-stage larvae when the predators were confined in vials with prey. Orius tristicolor (White) and Geocoris punclipes (Say) decidedly preferred 1st-stage larvae over eggs. Only the larger predators and the spiders fed on mature free larvae. Feeding on cocooned larvae was less pronounced; only the earwig Labidura riparia (Pallas) fed on pink bollworm pupae. In greenhouse tests, 6 species of predators commonly associated with cotton plants were tested for their ability to find and destroy pink bollworm eggs. These predators, arrayed in order of their effectiveness were: 2nd-stage larval green lacewings, Chrysopa carnea Stephens; and adult malachiids, Collops marginellus LeConte; Iygaeids. G. punctipes; anthicids, Notoxus calcaratus Horn; nabids, Nabis americoferus Carayon; and anthocorids O. tristicolor .