Review of the biology and control of Creontiades dilutus (Stål) (Hemiptera: Miridae)

Abstract

Here we review the current knowledge of green mirids, Creontiades dilutus (Hemiptera: Miridae). Creontiades dilutus are highly polyphagous pests that are endemic to Australia. They are widely distributed across Australia and feed on a broad range of agricultural crops. Recently, C. dilutus has become an important focus of pest control in Australian cotton crops, most likely due to a decrease in insecticide use associated with the widespread uptake of transgenic cotton varieties. Prior to this, C. dilutus had been coincidentally controlled in cotton by applications of insecticides targeted at other pests such as Helicoverpa spp. Further, the pest status of C. dilutus in summer pulse crops has become more apparent due to the increased research dedicated to this area over the past decade. We review various aspects of the biology and ecology of C. dilutus, including their life cycle, feeding behaviour and host plants. We also examine current control methods and laboratory-rearing techniques, which will be important for the development of novel control strategies in cotton and other cropping environments. Possible future research directions are highlighted, such as dispersal capabilities and extent of genetic structure within C. dilutus populations, as these will have important implications for effective and sustainable control in the future.

A Systematic Review on the Effects of Plant-Feeding by Omnivorous Arthropods: Time to Catch-Up With the Mirid-Tomato Bias?

“…Yet, N. tenuis and Macrolophus spp., common biocontrol agents of tomato pests, were used in 6 out of 11 reports ( Table 1). Reports of negative plant effects for N. tenuis, and for other mirid species are perhaps not as surprising, given that they have traditionally varied in status as pests or predators (Lu et al, 2010;McColl et al, 2011;Pérez-Hedo and Urbaneja, 2016). However, this bias in the literature makes it difficult to assess generality of results and importance of actual plant costs for other species.…”

Integrated pest management of plant sucking bugs (Hemiptera: Miridae) in Australian cotton: back to the future

“…Plant sucking bugs from the family Miridae have emerged as key pests of transgenic cotton expressing endotoxin genes from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in Australia and other cotton growing parts of the world (McColl et al, 2011;Wilson et al, 2013Wilson et al, , 2018. In Australia, Creontiades dilutus (green mirid) and C. pacificus (brown mirid) are major pests of cotton with the potential to cause damage and significant yield loss in all cotton growing areas year after year.…”

Reviews published by Austral Entomology

“…; McColl et al . ; Glatz and Kent ; Yeates et al . ; Kitching ; Ho and Lo ; Simmons ; Mound ; New and Samways ; Hoffmann ; Barton and Terblanche ; Novotny and Miller ; Ritchie ; Buckley et al .…”

“…; McColl et al . ; Barton and Terblanche ), molecular biology (DNA barcoding, molecular clock) (Mitchell ; Glatz and Kent ; Ho and Lo ; Glatz ), community ecology (Kitching ), behavioural ecology, evolution and genetics (eusociality, kin selection, sexual selection, genital evolution, climate specialists) (Crozier ; Hoffmann ; Simmons ), taxonomy and systematics (digital revolution, relationships of insect orders) (Yeates ; Yeates et al . ), biogeography, diversity and evolution (tropical diversity, New Zealand insects, ants, Thysanoptera) (Mound ; Novotny and Miller ; Buckley et al .…”

“…; McColl et al . ; Glatz and Kent ) and one in 2013 (Kitching ) have around 1200–1600 total downloads, but very few total citations (0–4). The paper by Zalucki et al .…”