Selection of Macrolophus melanotoma between its main non-crop host plant (Dittrichia viscosa) and eggplant, pepper and tomato, in choice experiments

Abstract

The host plant selection of the predator Macrolophus melanotoma (Costa) (=M. caliginosus Wagner) (Hemiptera: Miridae) was studied between: i) its major non-crop host plant, Dittrichia viscosa L. (W. Greuter) (Asteraceae) and the solanaceous plants eggplant, pepper and tomato, and ii) between eggplant, pepper and tomato, in choice experiments. The experiments were performed in cages where two potted plants without prey were placed. In each replicate, an adult predator was released in the centre of the cage or on the solanaceous plant. The position of the released predator in each cage was recorded at intervals of 20min, 1, 2, and 24h after its introduction. The results showed that M. melanotoma had a high selection preference rate for its origin host plant (D. viscosa) irrespectively of the solanaceous plant that was present in the cage. The experiments investigating the relative preference of M. melanotoma when given access only to solanaceous plants revealed that it preferred eggplant at higher rates than pepper and tomato. These data indicate that M. melanotoma originating from D. viscosa patches might have a very low potential to colonize pepper or tomato crops in the open field. However, its potential to colonize eggplant crops should be further evaluated.

Dittrichia viscosa (Asterales: Asteraceae) as an Arthropod Reservoir in Olive Groves

“…In addition, given its entomophilous character, it has great potential for use in the integrated pest management of Mediterranean agroecosystems (Parolin et al, 2014). Indeed, D. viscosa has been proven to play an outstanding role in maintaining and expanding predatory mirid populations in different agroecosystems (Alomar et al, 2002;Perdikis et al, 2007;Lambion, 2011;Lykouressis et al, 2012) and as a reservoir of aphid parasitoids (Kavallieratos et al, 2002) and phytoseiid mites (Tixier et al, 2000). However, it is also worth noting that D. viscosa can boost the presence of phytophages, such as whiteflies (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) (Parolin et al, 2013) and can act as a reservoir of tomato infectious chlorosis viruses (Orfanidou et al, 2016).…”

Efficacy of Eretmocerus mundus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) and Macrolophus melanotoma aganist Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Miridae, Aleyrodidae) in protected tomato

“…E. mundus Doğu Akdeniz'de seralarda saptanan en yaygın parazitoid türüdür (Karut, 2006;Karut et al, 2012). M. melanotoma ise yıl boyunca Dittrichia viscosa L. (W. Greuter) (Asteraceae) bitkisi üzerinde bulunmakta ve popülasyonu yaz aylarında artmaktadır (Lykouressis et al, 2012;Evangelou et al, 2013).…”

“…Türkiye'de yayınlanan çalışmalarla karşılaştırıldığında, yurtdışında zararlı ve doğal düşmanlarının seralardaki mevcut durumlarını bildiren çalışmaların yanında B. tabaci'nin biyolojik mücadelesine yönelik M. caliginosus (Wagner), M. pygmaeus (Rambur) (Hemiptera: Miridae) ve E. mundus gibi türlerin kullanıldığı salım çalışmaları daha fazla yürütülmüştür (Stansly et al, 2005;Alomar et al, 2006;Gabarra et al, 2006;López & Andorno, 2009). Ancak beyazsineğin diğer bir potansiyel doğal düşmanı M. melanotoma ile yapılan çalışmalar laboratuvar denemeleri ile sınırlı kalmıştır (Lykouressis et al, 2012). Ayrıca, yapılan çalışmalar incelendiğinde, domates bitkisinde B. tabaci'nin biyolojik mücadelesinde M. melanotoma'nın parazitoit E. mundus ile birlikte zararlıya karşı kullanım olanaklarının araştırıldığı bir çalışmaya rastlanmamıştır.…”