Journal of Applied Entomology (2018) 142, 847-853

Muhammad Haseeb, Tavia L. Gordon, Lambert H.B. Kanga and Jesusa C. Legaspi (2018)
Abundance of natural enemies of Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) on three cultivars of sweet alyssum
Journal of Applied Entomology 142 (9), 847-853
Abstract: The southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula is one of the most serious pests of tomatoes in Florida. During 2014 and 2015 tomato cropping seasons, three cultivars of sweet alyssum, Lobularia maritima (Brassicales: Brassicaceae) were evaluated in north Florida to determine their effectiveness in conserving the natural enemies of the southern green stink bug in open field conditions. The experimental refuge crops were cultivated on two outer rows and one center row of the tomato crop. Each section of the rows of trap crops and refuge crops was 20 × 3 ft. (6 × 0.91 m) in size. Pest insects and their natural enemies were collected weekly and identified. On refuge crops, big-eyed bug, Geocoris punctipes (Hemiptera: Geocoridae); minute pirate bug, Orius insidiosus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), ladybird beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinelidae), assassin bugs (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), damsel bugs (Hemiptera: Nabidae), hover flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) and spiders (Arachnida) were collected. All cultivars of L. maritima attracted the natural enemies of the southern green stink bug; however 'carpet of snow' was the most effective cultivar followed by 'tall white' in attracting G. punctipes in the tomato crop. N. viridula population first peaked in July and declined in week 11 and then had a sharp increase in weeks 12 and 13 when G. punctipes population was comparatively high. Data on the availability of suitable refuge crops which provide nectar and shelter to natural enemies are useful for integrated pest management of the southern green stinkbug, because these plants provide necessary resources to conserve beneficial species.
(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): Muhammad Haseeb, Jesusa Crisostomo Legaspi, Lambert H.B. Kanga

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
surveys/sampling/distribution
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
surveys/distribution/isolation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Nezara viridula	Lobularia (crop)	U.S.A. (SE)
Orius insidiosus (predator)	Nezara viridula	Lobularia (crop)	U.S.A. (SE)
Geocoris punctipes (predator)	Nezara viridula	Lobularia (crop)	U.S.A. (SE)