BioControl (2009) 54, 785-795

Gwennan E. Hughes, Jeffrey S. Bale and Guido Sterk (2009)
Thermal biology and establishment potential in temperate climates of the predatory mirid Nesidiocoris tenuis
BioControl 54 (6), 785-795
Abstract: Nesidiocoris tenuis Reuter (Hemiptera: Miridae) is a polyphagous mirid currently used for the control of leafminers, thrips, whitefly and spider mites in Mediterranean regions to which it is indigenous. This study investigates the establishment potential of N. tenuis in cool temperate climates typical of northern Europe through assessment of its thermal biology and low temperature tolerance in laboratory and field experiments. The developmental threshold of N. tenuis was estimated to be 12.9°C with no indication of ability to diapause. Supercooling points of the acclimated and non-acclimated adults and nymphs of the mirid were between −17.6° and −21.5°C and the LTemp₅₀ was around −12°C, indicating a high level of pre-freeze mortality. The LTime₅₀ at 5°C was nine days and 100% mortality occurred after less than four weeks of winter field exposure. Collectively these data suggest that N. tenuis is unlikely to establish in northern Europe and would therefore have little or no non-target effects on native species in such regions.
(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): Jeffrey S. Bale, Gwennan E. Hughes

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation
non-target effects/fate in environm.

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Nesidiocoris tenuis (predator)