1UMR PVBMT - Peuplements végétaux et bioagresseurs en milieu tropical (Faculté des Sciences et techniques - Université de La Réunion 15 avenue René Cassin CS92003 97744 Saint-Denis Cédex 9 pour le Cirad Station de Ligne-Paradis - 7 chemin de l'IRAT - 97410 Saint-Pierre - Réunion)
Abstract : Whiteflies are one of the major pests of tomato under greenhouses, and their control partly relies on biocontrol strategies. Among those biocontrol agents, parasitoids or predators are widely used. However, the introduction of a biocontrol agent in a new area is not trivial. For that reason, we investigated the use of a tropical native mirid, Nesidiocoris volucer (Hemiptera: Miridae), for the biological control of whiteflies among other insect pests on tomato crops under greenhouses in the subtropical island of La Réunion, France. Nesidiocoris volucer life history traits and plant injury were examined. Nymphs developed and survived between 15 and 30°C and required on average 49.41 days at 15°C and on average 10.50 days at 30°C to develop (nymph survival >94%). At 25°C, each female produced on average 65 eggs. Nesidiocoris volucer was able to feed on several prey species, but performed better on whiteflies than on spider mites or thrips. No N. volucer feeding injury was observed on tomato. Nesidiocoris volucer has also been found in tropical countries of Africa, and we believe that the data presented on this natural enemy could be of great importance for the biocontrol of whiteflies in tropical areas.
https://hal.univ-reunion.fr/hal-03565570 Contributor : Réunion UnivConnect in order to contact the contributor Submitted on : Friday, February 11, 2022 - 9:13:33 AM Last modification on : Monday, April 25, 2022 - 7:01:33 PM Long-term archiving on: : Thursday, May 12, 2022 - 6:21:40 PM
Lucie Marquereau, Jean-Sébastien Cottineau, Olivier Fontaine, Frédéric Chiroleu, Bernard Reynaud, et al.. Life history parameters and predation capacities of Nesidiocoris volucer: a new biological control agent for tomato crop. Bulletin of Entomological Research, Cambridge University Press (CUP), 2022, pp.1 - 9. ⟨10.1017/s0007485321001164⟩. ⟨hal-03565570⟩