Comparison of Perillus bioculatus and Podisus maculiventris (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) as Potential Control Agents of the Colorado Potato Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Abstract

In laboratory and microplot consumption tests, spined soldier bug, Podisus maculiventris (Say), ate at least as many Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), eggs and larvae as did the twospotted stink bug, Perillus bioculatus (F.). P. maculiventris also remained in field microplots infected with Colorado potato beetle egg masses for slightly longer than did P. bioculatus. The 2 predators were equally effective at consuming egg masses, reducing densities of beetle larvae, and preventing potato defoliation in small field plots. These results contrast with previous trials, in which P. bioculatus had been more effective. In laboratory trials, larger P. maculiventris nymphs selected larger prey larvae, whereas P. bioculatus nymphs did not discriminate by size of prey; thus, the relative effectiveness of the 2 predators may depend on the life stages of the prey that are present at the time of predator release.

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“…Specifically, P. maculiventris is an important predator of field crop pests [18] including many larvae of noctuids (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Colorado potato beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). In addition, P. maculiventris has high potential for augmentative biological control because it has a high reproduction rate making mass production easier [21].…”

Genetic variation in field and laboratory populations of the spined soldier bug, Podisus maculiventris

“…It is economically important and a high-value biological control agent because of its voracious feeding habits, high reproductive capacity, and mass-rearing potential (Hough-Goldstein, 1988;Hough-Goldstein & McPherson, 1996). All life stages are predaceous, which supports the use of immatures for augmentative control (Richman & Whitcomb, 1978).…”

Toxicity of the insect growth regulator novaluron to the non-target predatory bug Podisus maculiventris (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

“…P. bioculatus appears to be a L. decemlineata specialist, suggesting it would be a preferred candidate for inundative releases, where impacts on non-target species would be of concern (Cloutier et al, 2002;Hough-Goldstein, 1996). However, laboratory and field studies have found P. maculiventris to be as effective in controlling L. decemlineata populations (Biever and Chauvin, 1992;Hough-Goldstein and McPherson, 1996), and while commercial mass production of P. bioculatus has been problematic, P. maculiventris is available from many biological control suppliers. Thus, the latter is currently a more viable option for augmentative control of L. decemlineata.…”

“…Although stinkbug augmentation has successfully controlled L. decemlineata in field studies (Biever and Chauvin, 1992;Cloutier and Bauduin, 1995;Cloutier and Jean, 1998;Hough-Goldstein and McPherson, 1996), sole reliance on biological control as a management tactic has usually failed to provide effective control of the pest, especially at high population densities (Ferro, 1994;Hare, 1990). Nonetheless, growers could gain significant benefit from predators for control of L. decemlineata if they were not eliminated by frequent broad-spectrum insecticide use (Cloutier et al, 2002), suggesting that biorational, selective insecticides could be key in increasing the role of biological control in L. decemlineata management.…”