Entomophaga (1997) 42, 215-226
P. Alvarado, O. Balta and O. Alomar (1997)
Efficiency of four heteroptera as predators of Aphis gossypii and Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Hom.: Aphididae)
Entomophaga 42 (1/2), 215-226
Abstract: Predation rate and nymphal development time were determined for four predatory bugs (Dicyphus tamaninii Wagner and Macrolophus caliginosus Wagner [Het.: Miridae], Orius laevigatus (Fieber) and O. majusculus (Reuter) [Het.: Anthocoridae], on cucumber with Aphis gossypii Glover (Hom.: Aphididae) as prey and for both mirids also on tomato with Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas) as prey. All four predator species were able to achieve adulthood feeding on both aphids. The developmental period of D. tamaninii nymphs was the longest and the shortest was for O. majusculus. During nymphal development D. tamaninii consumed greater numbers of both aphids than M. caliginosus, while Orius ' consumption of A. gossypii was intermediate. Average daily predation was higher for D. tamaninii than for M. caliginosus, but was not different from both Orius species. Female D. tamaninii exhibited a typical type-II functional response when preying on varying densities of A. gossypii nymphs.
(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): Oscar Alomar
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
evaluation - screening - selection
