Prey‐mediated changes in the selectivity of the predator Macrolophus pygmaeus (Heteroptera: Miridae)

When foraging in communities with mixed prey, generalist predators may be confronted with prey species that differ in quality, size and mobility and interact with one another. To examine prey selection, predation by Macrolophus pygmaeus (Heteroptera: Miridae) was recorded by providing a diet of either one or two prey species of Myzus persicae (third‐instar nymphs), Aphis gossypii (fourth‐instar nymphs), Trialeurodes vaporariorum (third‐instar nymphs) and Ephestia kuehniella (eggs). In the experiments, prey mobility, prey quality and prey biomass were considered. The biomass consumed by the predator was dependent on the combination of prey species and the quantity of biomass offered. In choice experiments with diets mixed of two prey species at equal densities, the predation to A. gossypii was significantly reduced in the presence of E. kuehniella but the rate of consumption of M. persicae, T. vaporariorum and E.kuehniella was not significantly affected by the coexistence of any other species in the mixed prey diet. When equal amounts of biomass from two prey species were provided in combination, the total consumed biomass was significantly reduced in the mixed prey diets composed of E. kuehniella eggs and aphid nymphs. Thus, under the mixed‐prey situation, prey selection by predators may be affected by interactions among prey species differing in traits such as quality, mobility and size.     

Compatibility of an entomopathogenic fungus with a predator and a parasitoid in the biological control of greenhouse whitefly

An ongoing debate in biological control consists of whether interference between biological agents can disrupt pest control. This study investigated the outcome of interactions between the entomopathogen Beauveria bassiana with the whitefly predator Dicyphus hesperus and the parasitoid Encarsia formosa, as well as their effect on the control of the greenhouse whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum on greenhouse tomato crops. Our objective was to determine whether the generalist B. bassiana would disrupt biological control by interfering with D. hesperus or E. formosa. In experimental greenhouses, whitefly, parasitoid and predator populations were established, and over 27 days, tomato plants were sprayed with three applications of the B. bassiana based product BotaniGard® (5.13×10³ conidia/mm²) or water (control). Populations of greenhouse whitefly and biological control organisms were regularly monitored in control and B. bassiana-treated compartments. Overall, 10.6% of all whiteflies in treated compartments were infected, and 0.98% were both infected and parasitized. There were 31.7 and 22.3% fewer immature and adult whiteflies, respectively, on B. bassiana-treated plants relative to controls. Parasitism by E. formosa and predation by D. hesperus occurred at rates of 7.5 and 2.5%, respectively, in B. bassiana-treated compartments, and 5 and 6%, respectively in control compartments. Our study suggests that applications of B. bassiana for short-term biological control of greenhouse whiteflies are compatible with the concurrent use of E. formosa and D. hesperus on greenhouse tomato crops.     

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.     

Differential predation by the generalist predator Orius insidiosus on congeneric species of thrips that vary in size and behavior

We investigated interactions between the generalist predator Orius insidiosus (Say) (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) and two species of thrips prey, Frankliniella bispinosa (Morgan) and Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), and interspecific differences in morphology and behavior between these prey species that could contribute to differences in predation by O. insidiosus. Frankliniella occidentalis is significantly larger than F. bispinosa. Frankliniella bispinosa has greater mobility compared with F. occidentalis. When O. insidiosus was offered either F. bispinosa or F. occidentalis as prey in single species trials, there were no significant differences in the number of prey captured. However, O. insidiosus had significantly more encounters with F. bispinosa than with F. occidentalis. In arenas with equal numbers of both species, O. insidiosus encountered and captured F. occidentalis more than F. bispinosa. In large arenas with two pepper plants (Capsicum annuum L.), O. insidiosus preyed on more F. occidentalis than on F. bispinosa. These results indicate that O. insidiosus can prey on both thrips species, but that it preferentially captures F. occidentalis. The greater locomotion and movement of F. bispinosa, perhaps combined with its smaller size, allow it to evade predation by O. insidiosus better than F. occidentalis. Consequently, the observed preference of O. insidiosus for F. occidentalis is not exclusively a function of active selection by the predator but also could arise from inherent differences among prey. We propose this differential predation as a mechanism contributing to observed differences in the temporal dynamics of these species in pepper fields.     

Repellent effects of pongam oil on settlement and oviposition of the common greenhouse whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum on chrysanthemum

The repellent activities, including host deterrence and anti-oviposion, of pongam oil against the adults of the common greenhouse whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood in greenhouses were tested. Chrysanthemum plants treated with different concentrations （0.5%-2.0%） of water-suspended pongam oil showed relatively long-lasting host deterrent and anti-oviposition effects on the adults of greenhouse whitefly. Although the repellent effect declined in time and concentration, strong effects on the reduction of oviposition were found, which lasts, dependent on concentration at least 12 days after application.     

Attraction of Trialeurodes vaporariorum and Bemisia argentifolii to eggplant, and its potential as a trap crop for whitefly management on greenhouse poinsettia

Trap cropping, though promising, has had little evaluation in greenhouses. This study evaluated eggplant, Solanum melongena L. (Solanaceae), as a trap crop for two whitefly species, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) and Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring (both Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), on greenhouse poinsettia, Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Koltz (Euphorbiaceae). Because the two whitefly species co‐occur in greenhouses, a common trap crop for both whiteflies is desirable. When adults were provided a choice between eggplant and poinsettia in a cage, 60% of B. argentifolii and 98% of T. vaporariorum were observed on eggplant after 3 days. However, when adults were given eggplant after first settling on poinsettia, only 38% of B. argentifolii were later found on eggplant, whereas 95% of T. vaporariorum moved to eggplant. In a greenhouse experiment, eggplant did not affect either the spatial distribution or density of adult B. argentifolii on poinsettias. In contrast, eggplant changed the spatial distribution of T. vaporariorum within 3 days by attracting and retaining the adults. However, the attractiveness of eggplant did not result in a reduced number of T. vaporariorum on poinsettias compared with poinsettias in monoculture. Adult T. vaporariorum mortality was high on poinsettias and this likely caused adult density on poinsettias in monoculture to decrease as fast as that under trap cropping. A simulation model was developed to examine how adult whitefly mortality on poinsettia influences trap cropping effectiveness. When whitefly mortality was high, simulated densities were similar to the experimental data. This reveals an unexpected factor, pest mortality on the main crop, that can influence the relative effectiveness of trap cropping. Our results indicate that eggplant will not work unilaterally as a trap crop for B. argentifolii. For T. vaporariorum, attraction to eggplant might be useful as a trap crop system when whitefly mortality on the main crop is not high.     

Further compatibility tests of the entomopathogenic fungus Lecanicillium muscarium with conventional insecticide products for control of sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci on poinsettia plants

The effect on spore germination of the entomopathogenic fungus Lecanicillium muscarium following direct exposure for 24 h to the insecticides Majestik, Spray Oil, Agri-50E, Savona and Oberon for the control of both egg and second instar stages of the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci , was determined. Exposure to both Agri-50E and Oberon was followed by acceptable spore germination. Infectivity rates of L. muscarium on poinsettia foliage in the presence of dry residues of the insecticides were also investigated. No significant detrimental effects on the levels of control of B. tabaci were recorded compared with fungus applied to residue-free foliage. Sequential application of the chemicals Savona, Spray Oil and Majestik with the fungus all produced mortalities of second instar B. tabaci above 90%. Incorporation of these chemicals with L. muscarium into integrated control programs for B. tabaci is discussed.     

Combined effects of the entomopathogenic fungus, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paecilomyces fumosoroseus</Emphasis> Apopka-97, and the generalist predator, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dicyphus hesperus</Emphasis>, on whitefly populations

The effects of intraguild interactions between Dicyphus hesperus Knight (Hemiptera: Miridae) and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus Apopka-97 (PFR-97^TM) (Wize) Brown and Smith (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) on Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) populations were investigated in tomato greenhouse microcosms. Conditions were established in which interference or synergy would most likely occur; namely, a high number of available whiteflies were combined with large numbers of both D. hesperus and PFR-97^TM. We measured live whitefly density in a factorial repeated measures experiment where plants were provided or withheld releases of D. hesperus and/or applications of PFR-97^TM for 6 weeks. Releases of D. hesperus were made at a rate of 10 adults/plant during the first and third week and PFR-97^TM suspensions were applied with a backpack sprayer at a rate of 18 × 10⁷, 1.3 × 10⁷ and 1.2 × 10⁷ viable blastospores/ml during the first, third and fourth week, respectively. Results revealed a non-significant interaction effect between D. hesperus and PFR-97^TM, indicating that their actions were independent. Individual whitefly reductions of 48% and 35% were achieved by PFR-97^TM and D. hesperus, respectively. Collectively, the natural enemies reduced whitefly densities by 62% relative to the controls. The density of D. hesperus adults was unaffected by multiple applications of PFR-97^TM. These results suggest that the combination of generalist entomopathogenic fungi and generalist predators has the potential to cause increased pest mortality despite evidence of minimal interference.     

Health food versus fast food: the effects of prey quality and mobility on prey selection by a generalist predator and indirect interactions among prey species

1. In order to understand the relative importance of prey quality and mobility in indirect interactions among alternative prey that are mediated by a shared natural enemy, the nutritional quality of two common prey for a generalist insect predator along with the predator's relative preference for these prey was determined. 2. Eggs of the corn earworm Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were nutritionally superior to pea aphids Acyrthosiphum pisum (Homoptera: Aphididae) as prey for big‐eyed bugs Geocoris punctipes (Heteroptera: Geocoridae). Big‐eyed bugs survived four times as long when fed corn earworm eggs than when fed pea aphids. Furthermore, only big‐eyed bugs fed corn earworm eggs completed development and reached adulthood. 3. In two separate choice experiments, however, big‐eyed bugs consistently attacked the nutritionally inferior prey, pea aphids, more frequently than the nutritionally superior prey, corn earworm eggs. 4. Prey mobility, not prey nutritional quality, seems to be the most important criterion used by big‐eyed bugs to select prey. Big‐eyed bugs attacked mobile aphids preferentially when given a choice between mobile and immobilised aphids. 5. Prey behaviour also mediated indirect interactions between these two prey species. The presence of mobile pea aphids as alternative prey benefited corn earworms indirectly by reducing the consumption of corn earworm eggs by big‐eyed bugs. The presence of immobilised pea aphids, however, did not benefit corn earworms indirectly because the consumption of corn earworm eggs by big‐eyed bugs was not reduced when they were present. 6. These results suggest that the prey preferences of generalist insect predators mediate indirect interactions among prey species and ultimately affect the population dynamics of the predator and prey species. Understanding the prey preferences of generalist insect predators is essential to predict accurately the efficacy of these insects as biological control agents.     

Biological control of thrips and whiteflies by a shared predator: Two pests are better than one

We studied the capacity of one species of predator to control two major pests of greenhouse crops, Western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande)) and the greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood)). In such a one-predator–two-prey system, indirect interactions can occur between the two pest species, such as apparent competition and apparent mutualism. Whereas apparent competition is desired because it brings pest levels down, apparent mutualism is not, because it does the opposite. Because apparent competition and apparent mutualism occurs at different time scales, it is important to investigate the effects of a shared natural enemy on biological control on a time scale relevant for crop growth. We evaluated the control efficacy of the predatory mites Amblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot) and Euseius ovalis (Evans) in cucumber crops in greenhouse compartments with only thrips, only whiteflies or both herbivorous insects together. Each of the two predators controlled thrips, but A. swirskii reduced thrips densities the most. There was no effect of the presence of whiteflies on thrips densities. Whitefly control by each of the two predators in absence of thrips was not sufficient, yet better with E. ovalis. However, whitefly densities in presence of thrips were reduced dramatically, especially by A. swirskii. The densities of predators were up to 15 times higher in presence of both pests than in the single-pest treatments. Laboratory experiments with A. swirskii suggest that this is due to a higher juvenile survival and developmental rate on a mixed diet. Hence, better control may be achieved not only because of apparent competition, but also through a positive effect of mixed diets on predator population growth. This latter phenomenon deserves more attention in experimental and theoretical work on biological control and apparent competition.     

Laboratory and greenhouse evaluation of a new entomopathogenic strain of Beauveria bassiana for control of the onion thrips Thrips tabaci

Abstract

The onion thrips Thrips tabaci is one of the most important pests of greenhouse and open-field broccoli, onion and other crops. However, the current strategy of using synthetic pesticides for its control is inadequate and unsustainable, leading to a growing interest in novel and effective biological control alternatives such as entomopathogenic fungi. Among 20 isolates of Beauveria bassiana tested for virulence against T. tabaci in laboratory bioassays, we found strain SZ-26 as the most potent, causing 83–100% mortality in adults at 1×10⁷ mL^?1conidia after 4–7 days. Further experiments in greenhouses showed the strain SZ-26 significantly lowered the numbers of adult and larval stages.     

Effect of plants on the searching efficiency of a generalist predator: the importance of predator-prey spatial association

In most studies of tritrophic interactions, the effect of plants on predators is confounded with changes in prey and predator behaviors after an encounter event. Here, we estimate how the effect of plants on prey distribution (in the absence of the predator) and on predator foraging behavior (in the absence of prey) may influence predation rate of Orius insidiosus (Say) (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) in 11 plant by prey species combinations. The within-leaf distributions of O. insidiosus and its prey overlapped most on bean plants. The predator's foraging behavior (e.g., walking speed, turning rate) also differed among plant species. Simulations, using the prey distribution data and predator's foraging patterns on leaf surfaces of each plant species, show that, overall, the searching efficiency of O. insidiosus was higher on leaves of bean and corn than of tomato. However, the predator's searching efficiency was not consistent within plant species. Thus, the combined effect of plants directly on the predator and indirectly through the prey influenced the predator's searching efficiency.     

茉莉酸诱导番茄对烟粉虱发育、存活与繁殖的影响

【背景】目前,烟粉虱已成为世界性的入侵害虫,对我国的农业生产造成了严重损失。由于烟粉虱抗药性增长迅速,以非化学防治为主的综合防治措施,成为控制烟粉虱的重要手段。近年来,茉莉酸作为与损伤相关的植物激素和信号分子,已被发现广泛存在于植物体内,外施茉莉酸可激活植物的防御系统,诱导其产生次生防御物质,从而影响包括烟粉虱在内的多种害虫的生长发育、繁殖与存活等。【方法】在温度（26±1）℃、相对湿度（75±5）％、光照L：D=14：10的条件下,通过在番茄根部和叶部外施茉莉酸,研究茉莉酸诱导的番茄上烟粉虱的生长发育和繁殖等生物学特性。【结果】在茉莉酸诱导的番茄上,烟粉虱的发育历期以叶部诱导（shootJA．induced,SJA）的番茄上最长,平均历期为27．3d,与对照组（control,CON）番茄上的25．7d和根部诱导（root JA-induced,RJA）番茄上的25．8d差异显著;在SJA和CON番茄上,烟粉虱的世代存活率分别为47．17％和55．57％,而在RJA番茄上烟粉虱的存活率为81．13％,后者与前两者差异达到显著水平;烟粉虱成虫在CON、RJA和SJA番茄上的平均寿命分别为25．1、23．6和18．7d,即在JA诱导的番茄上烟粉虱成虫的平均寿命明显缩短;在产卵量方面,对照番茄上发育的烟粉虱平均单雌产卵量最大,为132．8粒,SJA番茄上发育的烟粉虱平均单雌产卵量最小,为107．9粒,两者差异显著;RJA番茄上发育的烟粉虱平均单雌产卵量为118．1粒,与前两者无显著差异。【结论与意义】利用茉莉酸诱导番茄可对烟粉虱的发育、繁殖和存活产生不同程度的影响,且诱导部位不同产生的影响也有很大差异。本结果对探索烟粉虱等刺吸式害虫的防治新策略有一定的参考价值。     

蜜粉源植物对天敌昆虫的作用及其在生物防治中的应用

寄生性和捕食性天敌昆虫成虫普遍存在通过取食蜜粉源植物补充营养的行为,这可不同程度地促进天敌昆虫性成熟、延长其寿命、提高其生殖力或寄生率,以及搜寻寄主效率和子代雌性比率,从而显著提高天敌昆虫在生物防治中的控害能力和效果。蜜粉源植物花的结构及植物对天敌昆虫产生的嗅觉、视觉信号和花蜜花粉对天敌昆虫产生的味觉信号又显著影响天敌昆虫选择蜜粉源植物的行为和结果。但是,蜜粉源植物也可成为害虫的补充营养植物,从而提高害虫的为害能力。因此,需深入研究不同蜜粉源植物对天敌昆虫及害虫的作用,趋利避害,才可能应用蜜粉源植物成功调控天敌与害虫的益害比,实现害虫的可持续控制。     

Trials of Beauveria bassiana, Paecilomyces fumosoroseus and imidacloprid for management of Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) on greenhouse grown lettuce

Mineral oil-based emulsifiable preparations of Beauveria bassiana (Bb) and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus (Pfr) conidia were separately applied alone or together with low rates of imidacloprid 10% WP at 4.7% (Im 1), 14.0% (Im 2), and 23.3% (Im 3) of its recommended application rate, respectively, against the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, on lettuce grown in the greenhouse. Besides eight fungal treatments, the three low application rates of imidacloprid in the oil-based carrier and a blank control (CK) were also included as treatments of the trials conducted in 2002 and 2003. For the 12 treatments of each trial with three replicates, 1,000-fold aqueous dilutions were sprayed twice on transplanted lettuce at a 15-day interval at a rate of ∼1.43×10¹³ conidia ha^-1 for each fungal treatment or at one of the low rates of imidacloprid using a backpack hand-operated hydraulic sprayer. Based on whitefly densities, mortalities, relative efficacies and percent density declines estimated from whitefly counts made at 5-day intervals, all B. bassiana and P. fumosoroseus sprays were highly effective against T. vaporariorum compared to CK and Im 1-3 in both trials. In trial 1, the estimates of whitefly density decline and relative efficacy ranged from 44 and 72% (Bb) to 79 and 90% (Pfr+Im 2-3) on day 10 after the first spray and exceeded 94% for all fungal treatments 10 days after the second spray. Similar trends in whitefly control were also achieved in the corresponding treatments of trial 2. A more desirable and faster control resulted from fungal sprays containing more imidacloprid, but none of the three low imidacoprid rates alone suppressed the whitefly population more effectively than any fungal treatment despite a varying degree of efficacy. Moreover, P. fumosoroseus tended to be more effective against T. vaporariorum than B. bassiana when applied alone or together with the same low rate of imidacloprid but the difference in whitefly control eventually achieved was not significant between the two fungal agents. Thus, the emulsifiable preparations of both fungal agents can be considered as alternatives for whitefly management and for a slightly faster control can be applied together with imidacloprid at around 15% of its common application rate. An economic balance between the efficacy of whitefly control and the ease and cost of conidial production is needed when both fungi are incorporated into whitefly management.     

Potential of a strain of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) as a biological control agent against western flower thrips,Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

Five Beauveria bassiana strains were evaluated for control of western flower thrips. Strain RSB was the most virulent, causing 69–96% mortality at concentrations of 1×10⁴–1×10⁷ conidia mL^?1, 10 days after inoculation of first instars. In greenhouse trials, RSB applied to broccoli foliage significantly reduced adult and larval populations.     

西花蓟马、二斑叶螨与黄瓜新小绥螨的相互关系研究

西花蓟马Frankliniella occidentalis（Pergande）和二斑叶螨Tetranychus urticae Koch是温室花卉与蔬菜上的重要害虫（螨）。植物常被两者同时危害。黄瓜新小绥螨Amblyseius cucumeris（Oudemans）是世界上广泛应用的温室蓟马的生物防治物,有时也被用来防治二斑叶螨。本研究中,在人工气候室盆栽条件下利用黄瓜新小绥螨防治西花蓟马和/或二斑叶螨。结果显示,当每豆株上接入10或20头二斑叶螨时,按照1∶4的益害比释放黄瓜新小绥螨可有效控制二斑叶螨。同样密度比的情况下,5和10头黄瓜新小绥螨的释放量可显著控制西花蓟马的接入量。二斑叶螨密度的增加没有显著影响到黄瓜新小绥螨对西花蓟马的控制作用。西花蓟马可捕食黄瓜新小绥螨的卵,日捕食量达1.2粒。本文对利用黄瓜新小绥螨防治温室中西花蓟马进行了讨论。     

The feeding behaviour of Rumina decollata (Subulinidae: Gastropoda) raises questions about its efficacy as a biological control agent for Cornu aspersum (Helicidae: Gastropoda)

The facultative predatory snail Rumina decollata (L.) has been used as a biological control agent for Cornu aspersum (Müller) in Californian citrus orchards for almost half a century despite there being little laboratory and field evidence of its efficacy. We have demonstrated that R. decollata can only successfully kill C. aspersum that are <13?mm (shell diameter) and if given a choice between a known food plant (carrot roots) and C. aspersum within this vulnerable size range, the majority of R. decollata (～93%) chose carrots. Adult R. decollata will feed on C. aspersum eggs and mean total consumption per individual was ～3 eggs over a 7-day period. These experimental results support previous anecdotal suggestions that R. decollata may not be an effective snail predator.     

Searching behaviour of an omnivorous predator for novel and native host plants of its herbivores: a study on arthropod colonization of eucalyptus in Brazil

Adaptation to novel host plants is a much‐studied process in arthropod herbivores, but not in their predators. This is surprising, considering the attention that has been given to the role of predators in host range expansion in herbivores; the enemy‐free space hypothesis suggests that plants may be included in the host range of herbivores because of lower predation and parasitism rates on the novel host plants. This effect can only be important if natural enemies do not follow their prey to the novel host plant, at least not immediately, thus allowing the herbivores to adapt to the novel host plant. Hence, depending on the speed with which natural enemies follow their prey to a new host plant, enemy‐free space on novel host plants may only exist for a limited period. This situation may presently be occurring in a system consisting of the herbivorous moth Thyrinteina arnobia Stoll (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) that attacks various species of Myrtaceae, such as guava (Psidium guajava L.) and jaboticaba (Myrciaria spp.), in Brazil. Since the introduction of eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) species into this country some 100 years ago, the moth has included this plant species in its host range and frequently causes outbreaks, a phenomenon that does not occur on the native host plant species. This suggests that the natural enemies that attack the herbivore on native species are not very effective on the novel host. We tested this hypothesis by studying the searching behaviour of one of the natural enemies, the omnivorous predatory bug Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae). When offered a choice between plants of the two species, the predators (originally collected in eucalyptus plantations) preferred guava to eucalyptus when both plant species were clean, infested with herbivores, or damaged by herbivores but with herbivores removed prior to the experiments. The bugs preferred herbivore‐damaged to clean guava, and showed a slight preference for damaged to clean eucalyptus. These results may explain the lack of impact of predatory arthropods on herbivore populations on eucalyptus and suggests that eucalyptus may offer an enemy‐free space for herbivores.