BioControl (1999) 44, 281-289

D.CH. Perdikis, D.P. Lykouressis and L.P. Economou (1999)
The influence of temperature, photoperiod and plant type on the predation rate of Macrolophus pygmaeus on Myzus persicae
BioControl 44 (3), 281-289
Abstract: The effect of temperature and photoperiod on the rate of predation of nymphs and adults of the predator Macrolophus pygmaeus was studied using Myzus persicae prey feeding on egg-plant and pepper plants. The experiments were conducted at three photoperiods (16L:8D, 12L:12D and 8L:16D), three temperatures (20, 25 and 30 °C), and at 65% r.h. The rate of predation increased with temperature. Predation rate was affected by photoperiod on pepper but not on egg-plant. Females and fifth instar nymphs were the most voracious stages followed by third and fourth instar nymphs and males. First and second instar nymphs consumed far fewer aphids. Predation rate was higher on leaves of pepper than egg-plant, especially at 30 °C. Variation in the efficacy of this predator is discussed.
(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): Dionyssios Ch. Perdikis

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Myzus persicae	Eggplant (Solanum melongena)	Greece
	Myzus persicae	Green pepper/chilli (Capsicum)	Greece
Macrolophus pygmaeus (predator)	Myzus persicae	Eggplant (Solanum melongena)	Greece
Macrolophus pygmaeus (predator)	Myzus persicae	Green pepper/chilli (Capsicum)	Greece