Intraguild interactions between the predator Macrolophus pygmaeus and the parasitoid Eretmocerus mundus,natural enemies of Bemisia tabaci

The native parasitoid Eretmocerus mundus Mercet and the predator Macrolophus pygmaeus Rambur are widely used to control Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) in Mediterranean tomato greenhouses. An optimal biological control strategy for B. tabaci should take into account intraguild interactions between these natural enemies. In this study, predator's prey preferences and prey consumption were studied when offered different parasitoid and whitefly stages. The effect of the host plant on the adults of both natural enemies was also examined. M. pygmaeus preferred to consume B. tabaci over E. mundus when immature stages and adults of B. tabaci and E. mundus were offered. They consumed a larger amount of healthy B. tabaci nymphs and adults than of parasitised nymphs or E. mundus adults. The predator M. pygmaeus interfered with the reproduction of E. mundus females on cotton but not on tomato. However, B. tabaci nymphal mortality on tomato associated with parasitoid host feeding was also lower when the adult parasitoids coexisted with the predators. The joint release of M. pygmaeus and E. mundus adults did not increase the control of the whitefly B. tabaci.     

Influence of the entomopathogenic fungus Isaria fumosorosea on Axinoscymnus cardilobus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) under laboratory conditions

Effects of entomopathogenic fungus Isaria fumosorosea on biological characteristics and life table parameters of Axinoscymnus cardilobus, a predator of whiteflies, were studied using five different conidial concentrations under laboratory conditions. Non-significant differences were observed among different fungal concentrations on the percent survival of all immature stages. The survival of A. cardilobus on different host plants did not differ significantly. The prey consumption of third instar A. cardilobus on Bemisia tabaci treated with different fungal concentrations differed significantly at different time intervals. The developmental periods for all immature stages (from eggs, first, second, third, fourth instar nymph and pupae up to emergence) among the treatments were not statistically significant when compared to that of control. In the present study, fecundity, longevity, egg viability and life table parameters of females were not statistically significant over the different concentrations. It can be concluded that control strategies tested are compatible to a greater extent and incorporation of these have promising prospects for control of whitefly.     

Previous and Present Diets of Mite Predators Affect Antipredator Behaviour of Whitefly Prey

Predator diet is known to influence antipredator behaviour in prey. Yet, it is not clear how antipredator behaviour is affected by diet changes of the predator. We studied the effect of previous and present diet of a predatory mite Typhlodromips swirskii on the antipredator response of its prey, the whitefly Bemisia tabaci. An earlier study showed that adult female whiteflies that had experienced predators, had learned to avoid ovipositing on plants with predators whose previous and present diet consisted of whitefly eggs and immatures. Here, we investigate whether adult whiteflies also avoid plants with predators whose present and/or previous diet consisted of a non-whitefly food source. Adult whiteflies were found not to avoid plants with predators whose present diet consisted of pollen and whose previous diet had consisted of either pollen or whitefly eggs and larvae. They did avoid plants with predators whose present diet consisted of whiteflies and whose previous diet had consisted of pollen, but to a lesser extent than when previous and present diet consisted of whiteflies. In a choice experiment, whiteflies discriminated between plants with predators whose present diet consisted of whiteflies, but that differed in previous diet. Our results show that both previous and present diets of predators are important in eliciting antipredator behaviour.     

Macrolophus caliginosus in the biological control of Bemisia tabaci on greenhouse melons

This work presents the results of an investigation that aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of releases of the omnivorous predator Macrolophus caliginosus Wagner (Heteroptera, Miridae) in the control of Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Homoptera, Aleyrodidae) on greenhouse melon. Two greenhouse trials were performed, one in spring and one in summer. Adults of M. caliginosus were released at two release rates (two and six per plant) in an initial infestation of 10 adult whitefly per plant. The high release rate did control the whitefly populations. Results of the lower release ratio did not work in the second trial, presumably due to excessive pruning of the crop that may have affected predator establishment. No damaged fruits were recorded. Laboratory trials were also done to examine the effects of plant and variable prey availability on predator fertility and survivorship. Results showed that low-prey availability significantly reduced survivorship and fertility of M. caliginosus, and explained why predator establishment was the same for both predator release rates.     

Phytoseiid predators suppress populations of Bemisia tabaci on cucumber plants with alternative food

Phytoseiids are known to attack whiteflies, but it is an open question whether they can be used for biological control of these pest insects. Preselection experiments in the laboratory showed that two out of five phytoseiid species tested, Euseius scutalis and Typhlodromips swirskii, stood out in terms of their ability to develop and reproduce on a diet of Bemisia tabaci immatures. In this paper, we show that both predators are able to suppress whitefly populations on isolated cucumber plants in a greenhouse. Predatory mites were released 2 weeks in advance of the release of B. tabaci. To enable their survival and promote their population growth, they were provided weekly with alternative food, that is, Typha sp. pollen. A few weeks after whitefly introduction, the numbers of adult whiteflies on plants with predators were consistently lower than on plants without predators, where B. tabaci populations grew exponentially. After 9 weeks, this amounted to a 16- to 21-fold difference in adult whitefly population size. This shows that the two phytoseiid species are promising biocontrol agents of B. tabaci on greenhouse cucumber. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of heat shock on survival and predation of an important whitefly predator,Serangium japonicum

Climate change is expected to increase the frequency of periods of extreme weather events, including heat waves that are harmful to arthropod natural enemies. We studied the thermotolerance of the ladybeetle Serangium japonicum Chapin (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), an important native predator of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in China. Serangium japonicum eggs, first‐ and fourth‐instar larvae, pupae, and adults were subjected to a range of high temperatures (36, 39, 42, 43.5, and 45 °C) at intervals between 15 and 720 min. Survival was compromised and declined sharply for all life stages at temperatures of 42 °C and higher. First instars were the least heat tolerant, and eggs were typically the most resistant. Egg predation by S. japonicum did not differ whether the adult beetles were subjected to either heat shock or starvation first. Heat shock treatments at 36 °C did not impede adult egg consumption, treatments at 39 °C crippled ladybeetle's egg consumption for 8 h following treatment but recovered predatory capacity within 24 h after treatment. However, treatments at 42 °C greatly impaired ladybeetle's predatory capacity. After experiencing heat shock at 39 and 42 °C, adults significantly increased the amount of time they spent resting, which is the probable cause of predation decline after heat exposure. These results demonstrate that short periods of extreme heat exposures have a detrimental impact on S. japonicum survival and predation, but the effect was dependent on duration and life stage. Overall, these findings can help predict population dynamics and success of biological control of whitefly by S. japonicum in a warming world.     

Functional response of Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) on tomato leaves

Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is an important invasive pest of vegetables and other horticultural plants worldwide. In this study, the functional response of Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) to different stages of immature B. tabaci was evaluated under laboratory conditions. Predation experiments were conducted on tomato leaf discs (2.5?cm diameter) over a 24-h period at 26?±?1°C and 65?±?5% relative humidity with a L16:D8 photoperiod. The prey densities ranged from 5 to 90 immature stages (eggs and first- to fourth-instar nymphs) of B. tabaci per leaf disc. The results showed that the egg stage of B. tabaci was the most susceptible prey stage and that the mated female adult mite (3-day-old) was a more effective predator than the male adult mite. The functional response of adult N. cucumeris followed a Type II trend curve as shown in a logistic regression model. Adult N. cucumeris exhibited different predation tendencies towards prey in different stages of immaturity. The daily maximum number of eggs, first-, second- and third-instar nymphs of B. tabaci killed by a single female over a 24-h period (26?±?1°C, 65?±?5% RH and L16:D8 photoperiod) were 8.5, 5.2, 3.0 and 2.1, respectively, whereas the number killed by a single male was 6.0, 4.0, 2.3 and 1.8, respectively. The results of this study could help determine an effective B. tabaci biocontrol measure that employs a natural predator.     

Feeding Experience of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Affects Their Performance on Different Host Plants

The sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci biotype B is extremely polyphagous with >600 species of host plants. We hypothesized that previous experience of the whitefly on a given host plant affects their host selection and performance on the plants without previous experience. We investigated the host selection for feeding and oviposition of adults and development and survival of immatures of three host-plant-experienced populations of B. tabaci, namely Bemisia-eggplant, Bemisia-tomato and Bemisia-cucumber, on their experienced host plant and each of the three other plant species (eggplant, tomato, cucumber and pepper) without previous experience. We found that the influence of previous experience of the whiteflies varied among the populations. All populations refused pepper for feeding and oviposition, whereas the Bemisia-cucumber and the Bemisia-eggplant strongly preferred cucumber. Bemisia-tomato did not show strong preference to any of the three host palnts. Development time from egg to adult eclosion varied among the populations, being shortest on eggplant, longest on pepper, and intermediate on tomato and cucumber except for the Bemisia-cucumber developed similarly on tomato and pepper. The survivorship from egg to adult eclosion of all populations was highest on eggplant (80-98%), lowest on pepper (0-20%), and intermediate on tomato and cucumber. In conclusion, the effects of previous experience of whiteflies on host selection for feeding and oviposition, development, and survivorship varied depending on host plants, and host plants play a stronger role than previous experience. Preference of feeding and oviposition by adults may not accurately reflect host suitability of immatures. These results provided important information for understanding whitefly population dynamics and dispersal among different crop systems.     

Inundative field releases and evaluation of three predators for Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) management in three vegetable crops

Abstract The sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is a global pest on numerous crops, including vegetables. Weekly inundative releases of a coccinellid predator (Coccinella undecimpunctata L. [Coleoptera: Coccinellidae]), a common green lacewing predator (Chrysoperla carnea Stephen [Neuroptera: Chrysopidae]), and a mirid predator (Macrolophus caliginosus[Wagner][Hemiptera: Miridae]) were independently made in three vegetable crops (cabbage [Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.], cucumber [Cucumis sativus L.], and squash [Cucurbita pepo L.]) for the management of the sweetpotato whitefly. Approximately 1 million to 2.5 million larvae or nymphs of each predator were released in the vegetable crops during 20 weeks. Whitefly populations were reduced by ≈ 25%–45% during most of the season in each crop where each predator was released. The effect of each predator was similar on whitefly population reduction. Late in the season (October) when whitefly populations were low, generally no benefit was obtained from releasing the predators. Numbers of predators recovered during sampling in all crops were greatest for C. carnea, but this corresponded with the fact that more individuals of this predator were released than any other predator in the experiment. These results help define the utility of these natural enemies for managing B. tabaci in vegetable crops.     

Co-infection and localization of secondary symbionts in two whitefly species

Background  

Whiteflies are cosmopolitan phloem-feeding pests that cause serious damage to many crops worldwide due to direct feeding and vectoring of many plant viruses. The sweetpotato whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) and the greenhouse whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) are two of the most widespread and damaging whitefly species. To complete their unbalanced diet, whiteflies harbor the obligatory bacterium Portiera aleyrodidarum. B. tabaci further harbors a diverse array of secondary symbionts, including Hamiltonella, Arsenophonus, Cardinium, Wolbachia, Rickettsia and Fritschea. T. vaporariorum is only known to harbor P. aleyrodidarum and Arsenophonus. We conducted a study to survey the distribution of whitefly species in Croatia, their infection status by secondary symbionts, and the spatial distribution of these symbionts in the developmental stages of the two whitefly species.     

Intraguild predation by the generalist predator Orius majusculus on the parasitoid Encarsia formosa

Intraguild predation of Orius majusculus (Reuter) (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) on Encarsia formosa (Gahan) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), both natural enemies of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae), was studied under laboratory conditions. The experiments quantified prey consumption by 5th instar nymphs and adults of O. majusculus offered unparasitised 3rd, early 4th or 4th instar B. tabaci nymphs or parasitised nymphs containing 2nd or 3rd larval instar or pupal parasitoids. In addition, prey preference of the two stages of O. majusculus for parasitised or unparasitised whitefly nymphs was studied using nine different prey combinations. Both predator stages readily preyed upon on both unparasitised and parasitised B. tabaci. In no-choice experiments, predation on 3rd instar E. formosa by adult predators was the highest, while predator nymphs preyed most on unparasitised 3rd instar B. tabaci and 2nd instar parasitoids. Predation of predator stages was lowest on 4th instar B. tabaci and E. formosa pupae. In all prey combinations, both stages of O. majusculus showed a significant preference for parasitised over unparasitised whitefly nymphs except for the combination of 5th instars of O. majusculus with early 4th instar whiteflies and E. formosa pupae. The results indicate that intraguild interactions between O. majusculus and E. formosa may have negative effects on biological control of B. tabaci.     

Vulnerability of Bemisia tabaci immatures to phytoseiid predators: Consequences for oviposition and influence of alternative food

An earlier study showed that two phytoseiid species, Euseius scutalis (Athias‐Henriot) and Typhlodromips swirskii (Athias‐Henriot) (Acari: Phytoseiidae), are capable of suppressing populations of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleurodidae) on isolated cucumber plants supplied with Typha latifolia L. pollen. However, the predators did not exterminate their prey, and this may be caused by the existence of invulnerable B. tabaci stages. Little is known of the differential vulnerability of the immature B. tabaci stages. Here, we quantified their vulnerability by assessing the rate of predation on each of the immature stages when offered alone at a density high enough to allow for a maximal predation rate. All immature stages of B. tabaci were vulnerable to predation by each of the two predator species. However, the per capita predation rates, the oviposition rates of phytoseiids, as well as the percentage of predators feeding and the percentage ovipositing decreased with increasing stages of B. tabaci. Compared to that of eggs and 1st instars, the vulnerability of 2nd and later B. tabaci instars is an order of magnitude lower. To investigate how the presence of alternative food changes the rates of predation, we added pollen to a diet of 1st instars, one of the most vulnerable instars. This resulted in a decrease in the predation rate of E. scutalis, but not of T. swirskii, while the oviposition rate of both phytoseiid species remained equally high. The decreased predation of the 1st instars probably resulted from E. scutalis switching to pollen feeding.     

Forty‐nine new host plant species for Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

The sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), is a worldwide pest of numerous agricultural and ornamental crops. In addition to directly feeding on plants, it also acts as a vector of plant viruses of cultivated and uncultivated host plant species. Moreover, host plants can affect the population dynamics of whiteflies. An open‐choice screening experiment was conducted with B‐biotype B. tabaci on a diverse collection of crops, weeds, and other indigenous plant species. Five of the plant species were further evaluated in choice or no‐choice tests in the laboratory. The results reveal 49 new reproductive host plant species for B. tabaci. This includes 11 new genera of host plants (Arenaria, Avena, Carduus, Dichondra, Glechoma, Gnaphalium, Molugo, Panicum, Parthenocissus, Trianthema, and Triticum) for this whitefly. All species that served as hosts were acceptable for feeding, oviposition, and development to the adult stage by B. tabaci. The new hosts include three cultivated crops [oats (Avena sativa L.), proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.), and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)], weeds and other wild species, including 32 Ipomoea species, which are relatives of sweetpotato [I. batatas (L.) Lam.)]. Yellow nutsedge, Cyperus esculentus L., did not serve as a host for B. tabaci in either open‐choice or no‐choice tests. The results presented herein have implications for whitefly ecology and the numerous viruses that B. tabaci spreads to and among cultivated plants.     

Effects of cucumber mosaic virus‐infected chilli plants on non‐vector Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

Plant virus infections are known to alter host plant attractiveness and suitability for insect herbivores.This study was conducted to determine how cucumber mosaic virus (CMV)-infected chilli plants affect the fitness and settling preferences ofnonvector whitefly,Bemisia tabaci adults under dual-choice conditions with volatile organic compounds analyzed using solid phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).Results showed that the presence of CIVIV in chilli plants substantially affects the settling preferences of the B.tabaci,which preferred to settle on noninfected plants.Duration of the egg stage and the longevity and fecundity of adult B.tabaci on CMV-infected chilli plants were not markedly different from those on noninfected chilli plants.In contrast,the developmental time from egg to adult was significantly reduced in CMV-infected chilli plants compared to the noninfected plants.The results also showed that CMV-infected chilli plants released significantly more linalool and phenylacetaldehyde than noninfected plants.Overall,it was suggested that the behavioral response of B.tabaci might be modified by CMV-infected plants,which alter the release of specific headspace volatiles.Based on these results,the modification of plant volatile profiles may help in enhancing the effectiveness of biological control and the protection of crop plants against B.tabaci.     

Biological studies of the predacious miteTyphlodromus pelargonicus a predator of the two spotted spider miteTetranychus urticae on cucumber plants [Acari: Phytoseiidae; Tetranychidae]

The predacious miteTyphlodromus pelargonicus El-Badry preyed on the different developmental stages of the two spotted spider miteTetranychus urticae Koch. The development was quickest and the number of prey consumed was highest when individuals were maintained on eggs compared with nymphs or adult female stages. The predator was able to develop and reproduce on the eriophyid miteEriophyes dioscoridis. Soliman & Abou-Awad, nymphs of the tobacco whiteflyBemisia tabaci (Genn.) and pollen grains ofPhoenix dactylifera andRicinus communis. The average number of eggs/♀/day was 1.4, 0.7, 1.2 and 0.9 on eriophyid, whitefly,Ph. dactylifera andR. communis respectively.      

Determining the frequency of heteropteran predation on sweetpotato whitefly and pink bollworm using multiple ELISAs

The gut contents of field-collected, predaceous Heteroptera were assayed for the presence of eggs of the sweetpotato whitefly,Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) and the pink bollworm,Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) using multiple enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Of seven species examined,Geocoris species andOrius tristicolor (Say) were the most frequent predators of sweetpotato whitefly with 32–39% of the individuals tested over the whole season scoring positive for whitefly antigens. With the exception ofLygus hesperus Knight, a major insect pest as well as a predator, the frequency of predation on pink bollworm eggs was much lower (0.7–14.3% positive over the season). Relatively few predators tested positive for both antigens (0.3–12.5%).     

Detection of Bemisia tabaci remains in predator guts using a sequence-characterized amplified region marker

Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) B biotype is an invasive species (biotype) in China. In order to understand the role that native natural enemies might play in its control, techniques were developed for detecting B. tabaci DNA within the gut of predators. A species-specific DNA fragment, ca. 350 bp, was identified by random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis. This fragment was absent in other closely related or co-occurring prey species, cotton, and other select predator species. After cloning and sequencing the fragment, one pair of sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) primers was developed, which amplified a single band of 240 bp. Specificity tests performed with the primers showed the presence of the 240-bp band for B. tabaci in all developmental stages and both sexes, in adult Propylaea japonica (Thunberg) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) fed on B. tabaci nymphs in the laboratory, and in predators collected in cotton fields. Following consumption of a single red-eyed B. tabaci nymph, prey DNA was detectable in 100% of P. japonica at t = 0, decreasing to 20% after 12 h of digestion, and no B. tabaci DNA detected at t = 24 h. In total, we analyzed the gut contents of 185 field-collected predators, representing four different orders. All nine field-collected predator species (namely, P. japonica, Harmonia axyridis, Scymnus hoffmanni, Coccinella septempunctata, Orius sauteri, Chrysopa pallens, Chrysopa formosa, Erigonnidium graminicolum, and Neoscona doenitzi) contained DNA from B. tabaci and are assumed predators of this pest insect. Overall, the B. tabaci was eaten by more than 50% of field-collected predator individuals, including larvae of the coccinellids (P. japonica and H. axyridis) and lacewings (C. pallens and C. formosa) and adults of O. sauteri and the spiders (E. graminicolum and N. doenitzi). There was a trend of a higher percentage of larval than adult coccinellids and lacewings that preyed on B. tabaci in the field. This study provides a framework for the future use of molecular gut content analysis in arthropod conservation ecology and food web research, with considerable potential for quantifying threats to invasive or endemic pest species in China and elsewhere.     

Fitness of Encarsia sophia (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) parasitizing Trialeurodes vaporariorum and Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

Abstract Fitness and efficacy of Encarsia sophia (Girault & Dodd) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) as a biological control agent was compared on two species of whitefly (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) hosts, the relatively smaller sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) biotype ‘B’, and the larger greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood). Significant differences were observed on green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in the laboratory at 27 ± 2°C, 55%± 5% RH, and a photoperiod of 14: 10 h (L: D). Adult parasitoids emerging from T. vaporariorum were larger than those emerging from B. tabaci, and almost all biological parameters of E. sophia parasitizing the larger host species were superior except for the developmental times of the parasitoids that were similar when parasitizing the two host species. Furthermore, parasitoids emerging from T. vaporariorum parasitized more of these hosts than did parasitoids emerging from B. tabaci. We conclude that E. sophia reared from larger hosts had better fitness than from smaller hosts. Those from either host also preferred the larger host for oviposition but were just as effective on smaller hosts. Therefore, larger hosts tended to produce better parasitoids than smaller hosts.     

Predation,oviposition and conversion rates of the predacious mite,Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) consuming different densities of Tetranychus urticae Koch,Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) and Thrips tabaci Lind.

Rates of prey consumption, egg production and prey conversion by the predacious mite, Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) were estimated at different densities of Tetranychus urticae Koch, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) and Thrips tabaci Lind. in the laboratory. N. californicus females functionally and numerically responded to the increasing densities of T. urticae nymphs, B. tabaci nymphs and T. tabaci larvae showing Holling’s type II. The maximum mean predation and oviposition rates by the predator females devouring T. urticae, B. tabaci and T. tabaci occurred at 15, 10 and 10 prey individuals/day, respectively, followed by the plateau levels at higher prey densities. N. californicus females exhibited the highest feeding and oviposition on T. urticae nymphs, followed by T. tabaci larvae and B. tabaci nymphs. The predator females showed the highest efficiency in converting the prey into egg progeny at 5 individuals/day of the previous prey species, respectively. T. urticae was the most favourable for N. californicus females, followed by T. tabaci and B. tabaci.     

A Monoclonal Antibody to the Shield Beetle Cassida rubiginosa (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae): A Tool for Predator Gut Analysis

We describe the development of a monoclonal antibody (MAb) to the hemolymph of fifth-instar larvae of the shield beetle, Cassida rubiginosa Muell. (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae), to be used as a tool for predator gut analysis. The MAb reacts with all life stages of C. rubiginosa, shows no cross-reactions outside the genus Cassida (31 herbivorous insect species and 12 potential predators of C. rubiginosa were tested), and is less reactive with other Cassida species than with C. rubiginosa. Specificity tests were conducted using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Western blot analysis following SDS–PAGE showed that the MAb reacts with a single protein of molecular weight 32 kDa. The immunoblot of a native PAGE showed a reaction with three bands, the monomer of 32 kDa and two bands with approximate molecular weights of 60 and 90 kDa. Using this MAb, we were able to unambiguously identify individuals of the model predator Nabis mirmicoides Costa (Hemiptera, Nabidae) after feeding on one C. rubiginosa last-instar larva. The MAb may be useful for predator gut analysis to identify the predator complex of C. rubiginosa.