Life history study of the mirid Tupiocoris cucurbitaceus feeding on Tuta absoluta eggs: implications for biological control and its combination with inherited sterility

Abstract

Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is a key pest of tomato crops. Tupiocoris cucurbitaceus (Spinola) (Hemiptera: Miridae) is a neotropical predator capable of consuming T. absoluta eggs. We evaluated the life history traits of T. cucurbitaceus on three different diets: T. absoluta eggs from irradiated parental males and untreated parents, and Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) eggs (control). The nymphal development of T. cucurbitaceus was reached in 13 days with a similar survival for all diets (58–65%). Mirid female longevity and oviposition period were statistically similar when the diets consisted of T. absoluta eggs from untreated parents and S. cerealella eggs, although the number of nymphs laid was larger with the second diet. Moreover, mirid females feeding on T. absoluta eggs from untreated parents lived longer and laid double number of nymphs than when fed on T. absoluta eggs from irradiated parental males. The highest intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was observed for the S. cerealella eggs diet, while differences were not observed between the two types of T. absoluta eggs. These results indicate that the mirid could develop and reproduce by feeding exclusively on both types of T. absoluta eggs. As conclusion, the use of more environmentally friendly strategies to control this pest, such as the biological control and inherited sterility, is possible through the release of T. cucurbitaceus and irradiated T. absoluta individuals.