European Journal of Entomology (2017) 114, 325-331

Mohammad Ali Ziaei Madbouni, Mohammad Amin Samih, Peyman Namvar and Antonio Biondi (2017)
Temperature-dependent functional response of Nesidiocoris tenuis (Hemiptera: Miridae) to different densities of pupae of cotton whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)
European Journal of Entomology 114, 325-331
Abstract: The effect of temperature on the functional response of female adults of Nesidiocoris tenuis Reuter to different densities of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) pupae was assessed. Three constant temperatures (15, 25, and 35°C) and six prey densities (5, 10, 20, 35, 50, and 70) were tested over a 24-h period. Nesidiocoris tenuis exhibited a type II functional response at 15 and 25°C, and a type III response at 35°C. The number of prey consumed by the predator increased with increase in the prey density at all temperatures. Temperature influenced attack rates and handling times. The highest attack rate occurred at 35°C at high densities (35, 50, and 70 prey) and the lowest handling time was recorded at 35°C. The maximum attack rates (T/T_h) were 17.13, 42.12, and 45.07 whitefly pupae per day at 15, 25 and 35°C, respectively. As a result, the value of a/T_h indicates that N. tenuis was relatively more efficient in attacking B. tabaci at 35°C than at lower temperatures. Results suggest that the ability of N. tenuis to detect and consume B. tabaci over a broad range of temperatures, especially high temperatures (25-35°C), makes this mirid a good candidate for the biological control of whiteflies in warm environments, such as greenhouses.
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Database assignments for author(s): Antonio Biondi

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.
	Bemisia tabaci	Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)	Iran
Nesidiocoris tenuis (predator)	Bemisia tabaci	Eggplant (Solanum melongena)	Iran