Abstract
Macrolophus pygmaeus Rambur (Hemiptera: Miridae) is a generalist predatory mirid widely used in augmentative biological control of various insect pests in greenhouse tomato production in Europe, including the invasive tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae). However, its biocontrol efficacy often relies on the presence of alternative prey. The present study aimed at evaluating the effect of various prey foods (Ephestia kuehniella eggs, Bemisia tabaci nymphs, Tuta absoluta eggs and Macrosiphum euphorbiae nymphs) on some life history traits of M. pygmaeus. Both nymphal development and adult fertility of M. pygmaeus were significantly affected by prey food type, but not survival. Duration of nymphal stage was higher when M. pygmaeus fed on T. absoluta eggs compared to the other prey. Mean fertility of M. pygmaeus females was greatest when fed with B. tabaci nymphs, and was greater when offered M. euphorbiae aphids and E. kuehniella eggs than when offered T. absoluta eggs. Given the low quality of T. absoluta eggs, the efficacy of M. pygmaeus to control T. absoluta may be limited in the absence of other food sources. Experiments for assessing effectiveness of generalist predators should involve the possible impact of prey preference as well as a possible prey switching.
Highlights
The tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrik) (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae) is a major invasive pest
Mean fertility of M. pygmaeus females was greatest when fed with B. tabaci nymphs, and was greater when offered M. euphorbiae aphids and E. kuehniella eggs than when offered T. absoluta eggs (Fig 3)
The present study showed a longer duration of nymphal development and lower fertility of M. pygmaeus when fed with T. absoluta eggs, compared to other prey foods such as E. kuehniella eggs, B. tabaci nymphs and M. euphorbiae nymphs
Summary
The tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrik) (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae) is a major invasive pest. Originating from South America, T. absoluta was first detected in Spain in 2006 and has spread to several European, Middle Eastern, Africa North of the Sahel and sub-Saharan Africa countries [1,2,3]; the infestation is likely to persist even in Northern parts of the Eurasian continent [2] as the pest is able to overwinter successfully e.g. in Belgium [4]. Tomato growers often rely on systematic use of insecticides to control T. absoluta infestations, with potentially undesired side effects on non-target organisms [5,6], and potential selection of insecticide-resistant T. absoluta populations [7,8]. Integrated pest management (IPM) is PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0166610 November 21, 2016
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