Biocontrol Science and Technology (2008) 18, 711-719

João A.M. Ferreira, José C. Zanuncio, Jorge B. Torres and Adrián J. Molina-Rugama (2008)
Predatory behaviour of Podisus nigrispinus (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) on different densities of Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae
Biocontrol Science and Technology 18 (7), 711-719
Abstract: The functional response of the predatory bug Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) feeding on its prey, Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), was studied in a greenhouse compartment. Each cage enclosed three soybean plants plus two, four, six, eight, 10, 12 or 14 prey larvae. One adult predator was released and kept inside the cages for 24h. The predation rate of adult male P. nigrispinus was highest at densities of eight or more A. gemmatalis larvae with a handling time of 5.76h and an attack rate of 0.68h^-1. Adult females had higher predation rates on plants with 10 or more A. gemmatalis larvae, with a handling time of 3.84h and an attack rate of 0.65h^-1. The maximum number of larvae consumed by males and females of this predator were 4.1 and 6.0 per day, respectively, in groups of three plants. The results suggest that P. nigrispinus may be used in biological control programmes against A. gemmatalis in soybean fields.
(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): Jorge B. Torres, José Cola Zanuncio

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Anticarsia gemmatalis	Soybean (Glycine max)
Podisus nigrispinus (predator)	Anticarsia gemmatalis	Soybean (Glycine max)