Phytoparasitica (2006) 34, 221-234
Ekrem Atakan (2006)
Associations between Frankliniella spp. and Orius niger populations in cotton
Phytoparasitica 34 (3), 221-234
Abstract: The distribution of the Frankliniella species F. occidentalis (Pergande) and F. intonsa (Trybom) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), and of the predatory bug Orius niger (Wolff) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), in various organs of the cotton plant, as well as prey . predator interactions between thrips and O. niger, were investigated over 6 years in cotton fields in the eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey. The highest number of larvae of Frankliniella spp. were found inhabiting bolls, whereas the adults colonized mainly flowers. The majority of predatory bug nymphs were present on leaves, followed by bolls, whereas O. niger adults visited mostly flowers. The thrips larvae were most likely preyed upon on flowers and squares, and bolls were safe plant parts for thrips, with a low predation rate. An intermediate but relatively high predation rate occurred on cotton leaves. In further field experiments, the effects of insecticide treatment on the relationships between O. niger and Frankliniella spp. were investigated. These trials revealed that a higher correlation existed between the numbers of adult O. niger in flowers and Frankliniella spp. in non-treated cotton fields than in insecticide-treated fields. The proportions of prey/predator in flowers ranged from 1.53 to 19.28 and were below four thrips per predator at most sampling dates in some of the nontreated cotton fields. It is concluded that O. niger is an effective predator that can play an important role in suppressing population increase of Frankliniella spp. in cotton.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
health/environmental effects of pesticides
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution
resistance to pesticides
Pest and/or beneficial records:
| Beneficial | Pest/Disease/Weed | Crop/Product | Country | Quarant.
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frankliniella occidentalis | Cotton (Gossypium) | Turkey | ||
| Frankliniella intonsa | Cotton (Gossypium) | Turkey | ||
| Orius niger (predator) | Frankliniella occidentalis | Cotton (Gossypium) | Turkey | |
| Orius niger (predator) | Frankliniella intonsa | Cotton (Gossypium) | Turkey |
