Dispersal of Podisus nigrispinus (Het., Pentatomidae) nymphs preying on tomato leafminer: effect of predator release time, density and satiation level

Abstract

The dispersal potential of nymphal stinkbug, Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas, 1851) (Het., Pentatomidae) preying on larvae of the tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lep., Gelechiidae) was studied in an open‐sided greenhouse. The parameters investigated were (1) the density of nymphs released per plant (one or five); (2) the release time (0600 and 1800 h); and (3) predator satiation level (satiated and 24‐h‐starved nymphs). Tomato plants were infested with larvae of the tomato leafminer (one third or fourth instar per leaf). The evaluations started 30 min after the release of predators second instar and hourly evaluations were carried out over 36 and 24 h for release times of 0600 and 1800 h, respectively. Starved nymphs released in the morning, either alone or in groups of five, dispersed faster than satiated nymphs. All of the starved individuals had left the plant by the end of the observation period, whereas 25 and 36% of the satiated nymphs released alone and in groups, respectively, stayed on the plant until the end of the observation period. Both satiated and starved nymphs showed slower rates of dispersal when released at 1800 h. Satiated nymphs delayed prey attack up to 9 h, whereas starved individuals started to attack T. absoluta caterpillars 1 h after their release at both densities. Our findings suggest more effective biological control of T. absoluta is possible with the release of second instar nymphs of P. nigrispinus when starved for 24 h prior to release and then released either in the morning or in the evening.

Evaluation of some microbial agents, natural and chemical compounds for controlling tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

“…The crops are sprayed several times during the plantation period, leading to resistance to these chemical insecticides in many countries (Siqueira et al 2000;Torres et al 2002). Additionally, these chemical insecticides cause adverse environmental effects including water pollution, eradication of beneficial wildlife and human health problems (Abd El-Ghany et al 2016).…”

Toxicity of thiamethoxam and imidacloprid to Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) nymphs associated to aphid and whitefly control in cotton

“…Conventional use of insecticides can have deleterious effects on beneficial arthropod populations because beneficial species can have greater susceptibility to low concentrations of insecticides than their prey or host (Ruberson et al 1998). The predatory stinkbug Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) actively searches its prey on plant canopy (Torres et al 2002b) where it can be exposed to insecticide residues during locomotion, selfcleaning or when feeding on contaminated prey (Torres et al 2002a). P. nigrispinus is also a facultative plant feeder as many other important heteropteran predators in cotton (e.g., Geocoris, Orius, Nabis), what is useful in their survival during periods of low prey density.…”

Cannibalism of Brontocoris tabidus and Podisus nigrispinus during periods of pre-release without food or fed with Eucalyptus cloeziana plants

“…Failure to provide food for predatory stink bugs for a short period is an important strategy before the release of these insects, since those not fed have a greater ability and capacity to search for food (Bell 1990;Frazer and Gill 1981;Torres et al 2002).…”