Abstract
Simple SummaryThe Rio Grande Valley is one of the most productive agricultural areas in the U.S, located in the southernmost part of Texas. In October 2013, we detected an exotic species of plant bug occurring in this region. It was identified as Nesidiocoris tenuis, which had a phytophagous behavior on tomato plants in the absence of its preferred prey. We confirmed the species with morphological and genetic tests. We monitored populations of N. tenuis in its introduction phase in commercial fields and corroborated its establishment in research fields for three consecutive years. The presence of N. tenuis could establish a new relationship of trophic insects to produce vegetables in the Rio Grande Valley. However, it is unknown whether the presence of N. tenuis in the Rio Grande Valley can help control pests of economic importance, such as whiteflies in cotton, or become a pest on sesame, which is an emerging crop in this region.The Rio Grande Valley is one of the most productive agricultural areas in the U.S and is located in the southernmost part of Texas. In October 2013, we detected an exotic plant bug, Nesidiocoris tenuis Reuter (Hemiptera: Miridae: Bryocorinae) occurring in the region. Nesidiocoris tenuis has zoophytophagous habits; however, in the absence of insect prey, it feeds on its plant hosts. After its morphological and genetic identification, this study monitored the population of N. tenuis in its introduction phase in commercial fields and corroborated its establishment in research fields for three years. Populations of N. tenuis were high during the fall and low during winter. This study found that N. tenuis populations were higher in tomato fields as compared to adjacent pepper, okra, and squash fields, indicating its host preferences during the introduction phase. Recurrent population growth patterns suggest that N. tenuis was established in Rio Grande Valley with permanent populations in tomato fields. In addition, N. tenuis populations were affected by tomato cultivar selection and by plastic mulch color. The presence of N. tenuis could establish a new trophic insect relationship for vegetable production. However, it is unknown if the presence of N. tenuis may help to control pests of economic importance, such as whiteflies in cotton, or become a pest on sesame, an emerging crop.
Highlights
Plant bugs in the family Miridae have different feeding habits including phytophagy, zoophagy, and zoophytophagy
The DNA barcoding performed confirmed the morphological identification of N. tenuis via highly conserved mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene
We examined 900 tomato leaves exhaustively using a stereomicroscope, and B. tabaci nymphs were absent in all the cultivars; whereas the N. tenuis population reached a total of 2212 specimens across all the dates (Figure 7)
Summary
Plant bugs in the family Miridae have different feeding habits including phytophagy, zoophagy, and zoophytophagy. Nesidiocoris tenuis has spread widely into new geographic areas since its original description in the Canary Islands, the Philippines, and several countries in the Middle East, where this species is considered exotic [12,13,14,15]. The success of an invasion of N. tenuis to new areas could depend on its invasiveness and the vulnerability of the agroecosystem receptor [19] The latter has resulted in the geographical expansion of N. tenuis that may lead to a potential invasive behavior but with possible resulting benefits. Samples were conducted in the morning to minimize mirids from moving away before counting them This active population in tomatoes was monitored on 18, 21, 25 October 2013, and 6 and 12 November 2013. Descriptive statistics analyzed the insect incidence across crops by inspection date
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