Australian Journal of Entomology (1998) 37, 125-129
M. Coombs and S.A. Khan (1998)
Population levels and natural enemies of Plautia affinis Dallas (Hemiptera : Pentatomidae) on raspberry, Rubus idaeus L., in south-eastern Queensland
Australian Journal of Entomology 37 (2), 125-129
Abstract: Population densities of the green stink bug, Plautia affinis, on canes of raspberry, Rubus idaeus, were examined at Caboolture, south-eastern Queensland, Australia, during 1994-1995. The presence of natural enemies of P. affinis was also monitored. When feeding directly on developing and mature fruit, both adult and nymphal P. affinis cause damage. Numbers ± SE of P. affinis peaked at 1.4 ± 0.3 adults and 5.6 ± 0.7 nymphs per metre of row during late December 1994 to early January 1995. The parasitoids Trissolcus basalis (17.6%), Trissolcus oenone (< 2%) and Telenomus sp. (22.6%) (Scelionidae) and the hyperparasitoid Acroclisoides sp. (Pteromalidae) emerged from eggs. The braconid Aridelus sp. (Euphorinae), and an undetermined genus of Tachinidae were recovered from late-instar nymphs and adults in which parasitisation averaged 0.8 and 1.4%, respectively. Late-instar nymphs and adults of P. affinis were attacked by the predatory pentatomid Amyotea hamatus, the reduviid Pristhesancus plagipennis and Thomisidae spiders. In laboratory studies, female P. affinis had a mean (± SE) longevity of 74.2 ± 4.3 days, mean fecundity of 423.0 ± 30.3 eggs per female, and a mean pre-oviposition period of 7.9 ± 0.5 days; males lived on average 44.8 ± 6.4 days. Other plant-feeding bugs associated with raspberry were Nezara viridula, Cuspicona simplex, Piezodorous hybneri (Pentatomidae) and Amblypelta nitida (Coreidae).
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Marc T. Coombs
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
population dynamics/ epidemiology
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
surveys/distribution/isolation
