Nabidae Research Articles

Notes of the trichobothrial patterns in damsel bugs (Insecta: Hemiptera: Nabidae)

A trichobothrium is a complex sensory organ, which usually consists of a long, slender mechanoreceptive seta (trich), which is situated in a cuplike depression in the cuticle (bothrium). Nabidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Cimicomorpha), also called damsel bugs, are a relatively small family within which two subfamilies, Nabinae and Prostemmatinae, are distinguished. Trichobothria are present in the number of one to seven pairs located laterally on the scutellum of adult representatives of Prostemmatinae. This feature is commonly used to distinguish this subfamily from Nabinae. Trichobothria are also found on the abdominal tergites of Prostemmatinae nymphs. Similar sensilla have been observed in adult representatives of Nabinae, but their homology has not yet been confirmed. During morphological studies on Nabidae, conducted using scanning electron microscopy, we noticed sensilla resembling trichobothria on the heads of these insects. This discovery prompted us to examine the presence of these structures in damsel bugs more carefully. Imagines of fifteen species of both subfamilies were analysed using a scanning electron microscope. The results present data on the distribution and micromorphology of the trichobothria in damsel bugs. A pair of dorsal and ventral cephalic trichobothria were observed in all of the examined species of subfamily Nabinae. These sensilla were not found on the heads of Prostemmatinae. The results of studies on scutellar trichobothria confirmed the previously known data regarding their occurrence in Prostemmatinae. Moreover, our research showed the presence of these sensory structures in all of the examined Nabinae species: one pair of trichobothria in Arachnocorini, Carthasini, Gorpini and Nabini, and two pairs in Stenonabini. The presence of abdominal trichobothria was shown in Nabini and Stenonabini. In the remaining studied tribes of Nabinae and in the subfamily Prostemmatinae, the presence of structures that could undoubtedly be considered abdominal trichobothria was not found.

A taxonomic study on Damsel bugs (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Nabidae, Nabinae) of Guilan province and adjacent areas in Iran, with an illustrated key to the genera and species

A taxonomic study on Damsel bugs (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Nabidae, Nabinae) of Guilan province and adjacent areas in Iran, with an illustrated key to the genera and species

Field margins and cropping system influence diversity and abundance of aphid natural enemies in Lablab purpureus

AbstractField margin plants around crops are postulated to increase natural enemy abundance to enhance pest management. A trial was conducted to determine the contribution of field margin vegetation and cropping systems to natural enemies of bean aphids (Aphis fabae) on Lablab purpureus, an orphan crop legume. Natural enemy populations were surveyed in plots with a combination of lablab monocrop or maize‐lablab intercrop and with or without planted field margins comprising four plant species (Chenopodium album, Bidens pilosa, Galinsoga parviflora and Tagetes minuta), arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. A cage experiment was also conducted to understand the extent to which these field margin plants supported the parasitoid wasp, Aphidius colemani, to parasitize bean aphids. A total of 2029 insects from 10 families were collected using sticky cards and pan traps. In comparison to plots with no field margin plants, the presence of plant‐rich field margins increased abundance of natural enemies by 9.5% and supported higher populations of Braconidae (parasitoids) and damsel bugs (predators). The maize‐lablab intercrop had 15.5% lower abundance of natural enemies than the lablab monocrop. Higher grain yield was recorded in plots with a field margin vegetation (300 kg ha−1) compared to plots without field margin vegetation (210 kg ha−1). The presence of a companion plant did not significantly affect the performance of parasitoids, in the cage experiment, indicating that parasitoids were not limited by access to food. In supporting aphid parasitization, B. pilosa was associated with the highest number of mummies (8.28). The lowest number of mummies were observed in cages with T. minuta (3.44). These results demonstrate the potential of plant‐rich field margins to augment natural enemy populations and enhance conservation biocontrol of aphids.

Insecticide application timing effects on alfalfa insect communities.

Timing of insecticide application can impact efficacy, given variation in both weather and development of the crop and its insect pests. Both target and nontarget insects may vary in life stage and abundance at the time of application. In alfalfa Medicago sativa L. cropping systems, producers have interest in early-season insecticide applications to eliminate last-minute decisions about preharvest applications for alfalfa weevil Hypera postica (Gyllenhal) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). The standard recommendation is based on scouting larvae close to the first harvest time. We compared early and standard timing of application of a lambda-cyhalothrin pyrethroid on alfalfa pest and beneficial insects. Field trials at a university research farm were conducted in 2020 and 2021. In 2020, early application was as effective as the standard timing against alfalfa weevil, as compared to the untreated control, but less effective than the standard timing in 2021. Effects of timing against Lygus bugs (Hemiptera: Miridae), grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae), and aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) were inconsistent between years. We observed the potential for early application to reduce negative impacts on ladybird beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and spiders (Araneae), however, damsel bugs (Hemiptera: Nabidae) were similarly reduced by insecticide application regardless of timing. Overall arthropod community composition differed by both year and treatment. Future research should explore potential trade-offs of spray timing at larger spatial scales.

The Potential of Nabis americoferus and Orius insidiosus as Biological Control Agents of Lygus lineolaris in Strawberry Fields.

The tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris, is a major strawberry pest. Only marginally effective control methods exist to manage this pest. Various predators attack L. lineolaris, but their potential is overlooked. In this study, we explore the potential of two omnivorous predators of the tarnished plant bug: the damsel bug, Nabis americoferus, and the minute pirate bug, Orius insidiosus. Firstly, the predation rate of these predators was measured in laboratory tests. Secondly, their potential release rates and release periods were determined in the field using strawberry plants. The results show that N. americoferus feeds on all nymphal stages and adults of the tarnished plant bug, while O. insidiosus attacks only smaller nymphs (up to the N2 stage). In the field, all tested densities of N. americoferus (0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 individual/plant) reduced the population of the tarnished plant bug for several weeks compared with the control treatment, but the effect of O. insidiosus alone was marginal. Additionally, for all the release periods tested, Nabis americoferus was efficient in reducing the pest population. These results demonstrate the potential of N. americoferus to control the tarnished plant bug in strawberry fields. We discuss the possible application of these results for establishing an effective and economically viable biological control strategy.

Selecting aggressiveness to improve biological control agents efficiency.

In agroecosystems, omnivorous predators are recognized as potential biological control agents because of the numerous pest species they prey on. Nonetheless, it could be possible to enhance their efficiency through artificial selection on traits of economical or ecological relevance. Aggressiveness, which defines the readiness of an individual to display agonistic actions toward other individuals, is expected to be related to zoophagy, diet preferences and to a higher attack rate. The study aimed to assess the aggressiveness degree of the damsel bug, Nabis americoferus, and to estimate its heritability. We hypothesized that a high aggressiveness degree can be selected, and that males are more aggressive than females. Using artificial selection, we reared two separate populations, each composed of nine genetically isolated lines characterized by their different aggressiveness degree (aggressive, docile and non-selected). After three generations, we had efficiently selected aggressive behavior. The realized heritability was 0.16 and 0.27 for aggressiveness and docility in the first population. It was 0.25 and 0.23 for the second population. Males were more aggressive than females only for the second population. The potential of these individuals as biological control agents and the ecological consequences of aggressiveness are discussed.

First record of family Otopheidomenidae Treat (Acari: Mesostigmata) in Central Asia, with description of a new species of Nabiseius Chant and Lindquist

We present the first record of Otopheidomenidae Treat in Central Asia on the basis of a new ectoparasitic species, Nabiseius palifer Joharchi and Khaustov n. sp., collected on damsel bug, Nabis palifer Seidenstücker (Hemiptera: Nabidae), from Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. The new species is described and illustrated based on morphological characters of the adult female and immature stages (including larva and deutonymphal stages) and compared with closely related species.

First record of the damsel bug genus Rhamphocoris Kirkaldy, 1901 (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Nabidae) from Japan

The damsel bug genus Rhamphocoris Kirkaldy, 1901 (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Nabidae, Prostemmatinae, Phorticini) is widely distributed in the Australian, Palaearctic, and Oriental regions; however, no species has been recorded from Japan. To date, R. hasegawai (Ishihara, 1943) has been reported in China, Korea, and Taiwan. In the present study, Rhamphocoris and R. hasegawai are recorded from Japan for the first time, representing the easternmost record of the species.

New records of the damsel bug Alloeorhynchus reinhardi Kerzhner & Günther, 1999 (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Nabidae) from Japan

To date, the damsel bug Alloeorhynchus reinhardi Kerzhner & Günther, 1999 (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Nabidae, Prostemmatinae, Prostemmatini) has been reported from China and Korea. We report from Japan for the first time A. reinhardi, which represents the second member of the genus in the country. This species inhabits the ground surface of grasslands in Kyushu.

Flower strips in sugar beet cultivation enhance biodiversity and beneficial insects

Since 2018, annual and perennial flower strips were integrated into sugar beet fields on the Südzucker AG’s experimental farm Kirschgartshausen (Baden-Württemberg/ Germany). To measure the effects of the flower strips on biodiversity as well as on beneficial insects and pests in comparison to the sugar beet field, standardized sweep-net samples were analyzed from May to September. The captured individuals were divided into four functional groups: pollinators, natural enemies, pests and other invertebrates. In the flower strips, 4.6 times more invertebrate biomass and 2.4 times more individuals were captured than in sugar beet fields. Pollinators were recorded almost exclusively in the flower strips. Natural enemies were 4.7 times more abundant in flower strips than in sugar beet fields and were also much more diverse there. In addition, the number of braconid wasps, chalcid wasps, ladybugs, and damsel bugs increased between 2018 and 2020. Potential pests were 1.4 times more abundant in the flower strips than in the sugar beet field, but in the flower strips mainly bugs and pollen beetles occurred, which are not relevant pests in sugar beet cultivation. Whereas cicadas, the main pest in sugar beet fields, were 3.7 times less abundant in the flower strips than in the sugar beet fields. Overall, flower strips increase biodiversity. Perennial, species-rich mixtures are particularly valuable. Subdivided flower strips with staggered maintenance that offer habitat and refuge for insects in every season have proven successful.

<p><strong>Rescuing a lost damsel: a revised identity for the extinct true bug <em>Miocoris fagi </em>(Heteroptera)</strong></p>

The fossil heteropteran Miocoris fagi Cockerell, 1927 stat. rev. is redescribed and transferred from Reduviidae to the nominate tribe in Nabidae. The fossil Nabidae are surveyed and enumerated. One taxon, Sinanabis brevipes Zhang, 1986 stat. rev., is removed from Nabidae and is considered incertae familiae.

Predation and reproduction of the generalist predator Nabis pseudoferus preying on Tuta absoluta

AbstractThe damsel bug, Nabis pseudoferus Remane (Hemiptera: Namidae), is a generalist predator of small arthropods, including key insect pests of vegetable crops. In this study, we characterized the predation and development of various N. pseudoferus life stages when preying on the eggs and first‐ and fourth‐instar nymphs of the invasive South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). These findings were compared to those of the bug’s common prey, cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Of the life stages tested, females showed the highest predation rate on all tested prey, due to their high longevity, large body, and great energy requirements for reproduction. The predator’s oviposition rate was clearly influenced by prey type, and was highest when feeding on fourth instars of T. absoluta. Considering the zoophytophagy of most of the life stages of other mirid species of tomato, and the lower propensity of N. pseudoferus to feed on plants, these results show that this species can be considered as a key indigenous natural enemy for sustainable pest control packages against T. absoluta in newly invaded areas.

Sexual conflict during Mesozoic: The first Cretaceous damsel bug in Burmese amber (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Nabidae)

The oldest Nabidae, Cretanazgul camillei gen. et sp. nov., is described from the mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber and attributed to the extant subfamily Prostemmatinae. This new record is in accordance with the emergence of the Nabidae between 150 and 130 Ma. This new fossil should help to precise future dating of this family. As the amber area of Myanmar was probably an island of the Thetys Ocean during the mid-Cretaceous, originating from the Gondwana, it is possible that the Nabidae have a Gondwanian origin. Cretanazgul possibly practiced traumatic insemination as all extant Prostemmatinae, but it was not possible to find the male internal organ linked to this behavior in this fossil despite 3D reconstruction with CT-scan data and fluorescence imaging.

Two new and one little-known damsel bug of the subfamily Prostemmatinae Reuter (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Nabidae) from China.

Two damsel bugs belonging to two genera of the subfamily Prostemmatinae from China are reported as new to science: Alloeorhynchus (Alloeorhynchus) yunnanensissp. n. and Rhamphocorisguizhouensissp. n. The little-known species Alloeorhynchus (Alloeorhynchus) reinhardi Kerzhner & Günther, 1999 is redescribed. All species are illustrated in detail. Keys to the Chinese species of Rhamphocoris and Alloeorhynchus are provided aid in identification.

Pale Damsel Bug Nabis capsiformis Germar (Insecta: Hemiptera: Nabidae)

The pale damsel bug, Nabis capsiformis (Germar), one of the most widespread Nabis species, is a generalist predator that can be found in open areas, including coastal habitats (Lattin 1989). It is commonly reported throughout the southeastern United States, in a variety of ecosystems, it is particularly common in field and row crop agroecosystems. All nympal and adult life stages of Nabis capsiformis are excellent predators and can typically eat one lepidopteran egg or aphid per day when small and as many as two dozen eggs or other prey as later instars and adults. They can survive for up to two weeks without food and become cannibalistic if other prey are unavailable. They use their thickened raptorial front legs that are lined with spines to catch and hold prey, then suck out the body contents with their piercing mouthparts.
 Damsel bugs, including the pale damsel bug, are so named because of the way they hold their front legs up, as though they were lifting a skirt hem to curtsey. At first glance, they appear like a cross between a mantis and an assassin bug. Includes: Introduction - Distribution - Description - Host Plants - Life Cycle - Importance - Selected References.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1210
 Also published at: https://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/VEG/pale_damsel_bug.html

Abundance of natural enemies of Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) on three cultivars of sweet alyssum

AbstractThe southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula is one of the most serious pests of tomatoes in Florida. During 2014 and 2015 tomato cropping seasons, three cultivars of sweet alyssum, Lobularia maritima (Brassicales: Brassicaceae) were evaluated in north Florida to determine their effectiveness in conserving the natural enemies of the southern green stink bug in open field conditions. The experimental refuge crops were cultivated on two outer rows and one center row of the tomato crop. Each section of the rows of trap crops and refuge crops was 20 × 3 ft. (6 × 0.91 m) in size. Pest insects and their natural enemies were collected weekly and identified. On refuge crops, big‐eyed bug, Geocoris punctipes (Hemiptera: Geocoridae); minute pirate bug, Orius insidiosus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), ladybird beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinelidae), assassin bugs (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), damsel bugs (Hemiptera: Nabidae), hover flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) and spiders (Arachnida) were collected. All cultivars of L. maritima attracted the natural enemies of the southern green stink bug; however ‘carpet of snow’ was the most effective cultivar followed by ‘tall white’ in attracting G. punctipes in the tomato crop. N. viridula population first peaked in July and declined in week 11 and then had a sharp increase in weeks 12 and 13 when G. punctipes population was comparatively high. Data on the availability of suitable refuge crops which provide nectar and shelter to natural enemies are useful for integrated pest management of the southern green stinkbug, because these plants provide necessary resources to conserve beneficial species.

Opportunistic random searcher versus intentional search image user

We consider two types of optimal foragers: a random searcher and a search image user. A search image user can find its desired prey with higher and undesired prey with lower probability than a random searcher. Our model considers the density-dependent travelling time and the time duration of reproduction (oviposition). In the framework of optimal foraging theory for one predator–two prey systems, we find that there are ranges of prey densities in which the search image user has a higher net energy intake, and there are other ranges of prey densities in which the random searcher has higher net energy intake. The damsel bug Nabis pseudoferus Remane (Hemiptera: Nabidae) is a generalist predator rather than an omnivore. This species has a wide range of arthropod prey (predominantly insects and mites). Several aspects of the biology of this species have been studied, especially its cannibalistic behaviour, which is a quite important feature because N. pseudoferus is often used as a biological control agent against lepidopteran pests in greenhouse crops. Experimentally, we found that Nabis is a search image user in the above sense.

The Effects of Dispersal and Predator Density on Prey Survival in an Insect-Red Clover Metacommunity.

Trophic interactions are often studied within habitat patches, but among-patch dispersal of individuals may influence local patch dynamics. Metacommunity concepts incorporate the effects of dispersal on local and community dynamics. There are few experimental tests of metacommunity theory using insects compared to those conducted in microbial microcosms. Using connected experimental mesocosms, we varied the density of the leafhopper Agallia constricta Van Duzee (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) and a generalist insect predator, the damsel bug (Nabis spp., Heteroptera: Nabidae), to determine the effects of conspecific and predator density and varying the time available to dispersal among mesocosms on predation rates, dispersal rates, and leafhopper survival. Conspecific and damsel bug density did not affect dispersal rates in leafhoppers, but this may be due to leafhoppers’ aversion to leaving the host plants or the connecting tubes between mesocosms hindering leafhopper movement. Leafhopper dispersal was higher in high-dispersal treatments. Survival rates of A. constricta were also lowest in treatments where dispersal was not limited. This is one of the first experimental studies to vary predator density and the time available to dispersal. Our results indicate that dispersal is the key to understanding short-term processes such as prey survival in predator-prey metacommunities. Further work is needed to determine how dispersal rates influence persistence of communities in multigenerational studies.

Field Trapping of Predaceous Insects With Synthetic Herbivore-Induced Plant Volatiles in Cotton Fields

Nine herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) and one methyl jasmonate were field-tested for their attractiveness to the main predators in cotton fields of North China in 2 yr. The main predators including ladybird beetles (Propylaea japonica (Thunberg), Harmonia axyridis (Pallas)), green lacewings (Chrysoplera sinica (Tjeder), Chrysopa spp.), predatory bugs (Geocoris pallidipennis (Costa), Orius spp., Nabis spp.) and spiders (Misumenops tricuspidatus (Fabricius), Erigonidium graminicolum (Sundevall)) were investigated. Two-way ANOVA indicated that the volatile compound, year, and the volatile compound × year interaction affected the behavioral responses of predators. It was found that indole significantly attracted the ladybird beetle P. japonica, H. axyridis. Linalool could attract P. japonica. Green lacewing C. sinica was significantly attracted by α-pinene and β-pinene, whereas indole significantly attracted Chrysopa spp. Methyl jasmonate and α-pinene showed significant attraction to small-flower bug Orius spp. In addition, the attraction of α-humulene to C. sinica, attractiveness of β-pinene to Orius spp. and Chrysopa spp., were observed only in one of the two years. However, the big-eyed bug G. pallidipennis, damsel bug Nabis spp., spiders M. tricuspiata and E. graminicolum did not respond to any of the tested HIPVs. These results are discussed with respect to possible applications of a synthetic attractant for main predators in cotton fields.

Pest and Beneficial Arthropods in a ‘Tifton 85‘ Bermudagrass Field in North Central Florida

Summary Pest and beneficial arthropods were collected in a ‘Tifton 85’ bermudagrass pasture in north central Florida to assess their impact on forage production. The primary pests were Auchenorrhyncha (leafhoppers and spittlebugs), grasshoppers, grass loopers, plant bugs, fall armyworms, and stinkbugs. Major beneficial arthropods included spiders, damsel bugs, big-eyed bugs, and small possibly parasitoid wasps. The pest populations did not increase to obvious damaging levels during 35 d growing periods after the grass had been mowed to heights of 8 or 15 cm. Thus, pest arthropods probably can be managed by grazing or periodically mowing ‘Tifton 85’ bermudagrass.