Journal of Pest Science (2022) 95, 447-459

Agnès Ardanuy, Martí Figueras, Montserrat Matas, Judit Arnó, Nuria Agustí, Òscar Alomar, Ramon Albajes and Rosa Gabarra (2022)
Banker plants and landscape composition influence colonisation precocity of tomato greenhouses by mirid predators
Journal of Pest Science 95 (1), 447-459
Abstract: Conservation biological control involves manipulation of the environment to enhance the effectiveness of natural enemies in controlling crop pests. In this study, we combined historical data, sticky trap sampling of tomato greenhouses and beat sampling of adjacent vegetation to identify which greenhouse characteristics, habitat management practices and landscape features favour an early colonisation of tomato greenhouses by the key mirid predator Macrolophus pygmaeus and its establishment in NE Spain. Results show that landscape composition and the use of Calendula officinalis banker plants inside the greenhouse are key factors. In general, greater amounts of herbaceous semi-natural cover at the landscape scale promoted M. pygmaeus colonisation, while the use of C. officinalis banker plants encouraged M. pygmaeus colonisation independently of the landscape context. We identified host plants adjacent to tomato greenhouses that sustain M. pygmaeus populations; however, they did not have a major effect on M. pygmaeus colonisation compared to larger landscape and banker plant effects. Early colonisation of greenhouses by this predator species also translated into lower accumulated incidence of pests at the end of the sampling period. This study demonstrates the importance of active habitat management practices in promoting the early arrival of M. pygmaeus in greenhouses with delayed spontaneous colonisation.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
(original language: English)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Judit Arnó, Nuria Agusti, Ramon Albajes, Rosa Gabarra

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Macrolophus pygmaeus (predator)		Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)	Spain (continental)