Pest Management Science (2016) 72, 1110-1116

Lourdes Bao-Fundora, Ricardo Ramirez-Romero, Carla V Sánchez-Hernández, José Sánchez-Martínez and Nicolas Desneux (2016)
Intraguild predation of Geocoris punctipes on Eretmocerus eremicus and its influence on the control of the whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum
Pest Management Science 72 (6), 1110-1116
Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Geocoris punctipes (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) and Eretmocerus eremicus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) are whitefly natural enemies. Previously, under laboratory conditions, we showed that G. punctipes engages in intraguild predation (IGP), the attack of one natural enemy by another, on E. eremicus. However, it is unknown whether this IGP interaction takes place under more complex scenarios, such as semi-field conditions. Even more importantly, the effect of this interaction on the density of the prey population requires investigation. Therefore, the present study aimed to establish whether this IGP takes place under semi-field conditions and to determine whether the predation rate of G. punctipes on the whitefly decreases when IGP takes place.
RESULTS
Molecular analysis showed that, under semi-field conditions, G. punctipes performed IGP on E. eremicus. However, although IGP did take place, the predation rate by G. punctipes on the whitefly was nevertheless higher when both natural enemies were present together than when the predator was present alone.
CONCLUSION
While IGP of G. punctipes on E. eremicus does occur under semi-field conditions, it does not adversely affect whitefly control. The concomitant use of these two natural enemies seems a valid option for inundative biological control programmes of T. vaporariorum in tomato.
(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): Ricardo Ramirez-Romero, Nicolas Desneux

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.
	Trialeurodes vaporariorum
Eretmocerus eremicus (parasitoid)	Trialeurodes vaporariorum
Geocoris punctipes (predator)	Trialeurodes vaporariorum