Side-effects of glyphosate on the life parameters of Eriopis connexa (Coleoptera: Coccinelidae) in Argentina

In Argentina, transgenic soybean crop (Roundup Ready, RR) has undergone a major expansion over the last 15 years, with the consequent increase of glyphosate applications, a broad-spectrum and post emergence herbicide. Soybean crops are inhabited by several arthropods. Eriopis connexa Germar (Coleoptera: Coccinelidae) is a predator associated to soybean soft-bodies pest and have a Neotropical distribution. Nowadays, it is being considered a potentially biological control agent in South America. The objectives of this work were to evaluate the side-effects of glyphosate on larvae (third instar) and adults of this predator. Commercial compound and the maximum registered concentrations for field use were employed: GlifoGlex 48 (48% glyphosate, 192 mg a.i./litre, Gleba Argentina S.A.). The exposure was by ingestion through the treated prey (Rophalosiphum padi) or by drinking treated water during 48 h for treatment of the adult. The herbicide solutions were prepared using distilled water as solvent. The bioassays were carried out in the laboratory under controlled conditions: 23 +/- 0.5 degrees C, 75 +/- 5% RH and 16:8 (L:D) of photoperiod. Development time, weight of pupae, adult emergence, pre-oviposition period, fecundity and fertility were evaluated as endpoints. Larvae from glyphosate treatment molted earlier than controls. In addition, the weight of pupae, longevity, fecundity and fertility were drastically reduced in treated organisms. The reductions were more drastic when the treatments were performed at the third larval stage than as adult. The reproduction capacity of the predator was the most affected parameter and could be related to a hormonal disruption by glyphosate in the treated organisms. This work can confirm the deleterious effects of this herbicide on beneficial organisms. Also, it agrees with prior studies carried out on other predators associated to soybean pest, such as Chrysoperla externa (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and Alpaida veniliae (Araneae: Araneidae).     

Pre‐release risk assessment of the egg‐parasitoid Gryon pennsylvanicum for classical biological control of Leptoglossus occidentalis

Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann (Heteroptera: Coreidae) is a North American conifer seed pest that was accidentally introduced to Europe. In the Mediterranean area, it threatens the production of Pinus pinea Linnaeus seeds. The egg‐parasitoid Gryon pennsylvanicum (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae), the main natural enemy in the native range of L. occidentalis, was imported from British Columbia to Italy. Pre‐release risk assessments were made under quarantine conditions by no‐choice tests conducted with naïve and experienced G. pennsylvanicum offering single eggs of target and non‐target species for varying exposure times (1, 4, 48 h). G. pennsylvanicum successfully parasitized from 75% to 100% of the target host eggs. Only one female specimen of the egg‐parasitoid emerged from a non‐target egg (Gonocerus juniperi Herrich‐Schaeffer, Heteroptera: Coreidae). Two dead female specimens were found, one inside an egg of Coreus marginatus (Linnaeus) (Heteroptera: Coreidae) and one in an egg of Camptopus lateralis (Germar) (Heteroptera: Alydidae). All three cases occurred at the longest oviposition exposure time. Results obtained with this conservative approach suggest that the risk to non‐target species of releasing G. pennsylvanicum in Italy is low.     

Karyotypic characterization by mitosis, meiosis and C-banding of Eriopis connexa Mulsant (Coccinellidae: Coleoptera: Polyphaga), a predator of insect pests

Eriopis connexa presents a chromosome number of 2n = 18 + XX for most females analyzed and a meioformula of n = 9 + Xyp for all males. A small metacentric B chromosome restricted to females occurred in 10% of our sample and, when submitted to C-banding, it was shown to be almost completely euchromatic. Chromosome pairs 2 and 3 had satellites and probably contained the nucleolar organizer regions (NORs). C-band analysis also revealed that the constitutive heterochromatin was localized in the centromeres of all chromosomes in the complement.     

Vegetation increases the abundance of natural enemies in vineyards

Non-crop areas can increase the abundance of natural invertebrate enemies on farmland and assist in invertebrate pest control, but the relative benefits of different types of vegetation are often unclear. Here, we investigated abundance of natural enemies in vineyards with edges consisting of different types of vegetation: remnant native forests, wooded margins planted after establishment of the crop (hereafter called shelterbelts), or pasture. Invertebrates were sampled four times using canopy sticky traps and ground level pitfall traps, replicated across two seasons at one of the sites. The distribution and abundance of natural enemies in relation to edges with adjacent vegetation or pasture were mapped by distance indices (SADIE) and compared with ANOVAs. There was a positive influence of adjacent wooded vegetation on staphylinids, predatory thrips, predatory mites, spiders, ladybird beetles and hymenopteran parasitoids including Trichogramma egg parasitoids in the canopy and/or at ground level, although there were significant differences among sites and groups of organisms. In contrast, pasture edges had no effect or a negative effect on numbers of natural enemies in vineyards. To directly assess potential beneficial effects of adjacent vegetation, predation and parasitism of eggs of a vineyard insect pest, Epiphyas postvittana Walker (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), was measured. Parasitism by Trichogramma was higher adjacent to remnant vegetation while predation was not affected. These results indicate that the abundance and distribution of vineyard natural enemies and parasitism of pest moth eggs is increased adjacent to edges with wooded vegetation, leading to beneficial effects for pest control. The conservation of remnant woodland and planting of shelterbelts around vineyards may therefore have direct economic benefits in terms of pest control, whereas non-crop pasture may not produce such benefits.     

First record of Lipaphis pseudobrassicae Davis (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and its association with predator insects, parasitoids and ants in kale (Cruciferae) in Brazil

This study describes the fauna of predator insects, parasitoids and ants associated with aphids on kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala D.C.) in organic system. The aphid was identified as Lipaphis pseudobrassicae Davis, and this is the first record of the species attacking kale in Brazil. Primary parasitism by Diaeretiella sp. and Aphidius sp. and hyperparasitism by Aphydencyrtus sp., Alloxysta sp., Pachyneuron sp. and Syrphophagus sp. were observed. Twenty species of Coccinellidae were collected, and eight of them were observed in adult and larval stages attacking the aphid: Hyperaspis (Hyperaspis) festiva Mulsant, which was the most abundant (72.5% of all predator insects obtained), Cycloneda sanguinea (L.), Eriopis connexa Germar, Coleomegilla maculata DeGeer, Hippodamia convergens Guérin, Heterodiomus sp., Scymnus (Pullus) sp.1 and Scymnus (Pullus) sp.2. Aphidophagous Syrphidae larvae collected on leaves ofkale infested by L. pseudobrassicae belong to the species Allograpta exotica (Wiedemann) and Ocyptamus gastrostactus (Wiedemann). Larvae and pupae of Syrphidae were parasitized by Pachyneuron sp., Syrphophagus sp. and Diplazon laetatorius Fabricius. Larvae of Chrysopodes sp. were observed feeding on L. pseudobrassicae. Species of ants associated with the colony of this aphid were Ectatomma quadridens Fabricius and Pheidole sp.     

Predatory response of Xylocoris flavipes to bruchid pests of stored food legumes

Biological control may provide an affordable and sustainable option for reducing losses to pest Bruchidae in stored food legumes, a crucial source of human dietary protein. Previous investigations have focused primarily on the role of parasitism in bruchid biological control, while the potential of generalist predators has been comparatively unexplored. The true bug Xylocoris flavipes (Reuter) (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) exhibited a Type II functional response to the majority of cosmopolitan bruchid species evaluated when data were fit to Holling's disc equation. A negative correlation was detected between mean pest species body weight and rate of predation. The rate of attack on adult prey was quite low but fairly consistent, with the larger‐sized female predators generally more effective. The eggs and neonate larvae of Acanthoscelides obtectus Say (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) were the only accessible immature stages among all prey species examined; predation on A. obtectus eggs and larvae was higher than on any adult bruchids. Mean predator kill of A. obtectus immature stages was 40 first instars or 10–20 eggs per 24‐h interval. Further investigation of the biological control potential of X. flavipes against pest Bruchidae is merited due to the predator's ability to kill adult stages of all prey species evaluated.     

Toxicity of pesticides used in chrysanthemum crops to eggs and nymphs of Orius insidiosus (Say) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of some pesticides used in chrysanthemum crops to eggs and nymphs of Orius insidiosus (Say). The bioassays were carried out at 25 +/- 2 degrees C, 70 +/- 10% RH and 12h photophase. For the tests with eggs, stems of Bidens pilosa L. previously exposed to predator oviposition were dipped for five seconds in aqueous dilution of the pesticides, using 40 eggs per treatment. The pesticides were applied on nymphs using a Potter's tower. Forty first-instar and twenty second-instar nymphs of O. insidiosus were used per treatment in the tests with nymphs. The adults from eggs and nymphs treated were grouped in couples to study the pesticides effects on its reproductive parameters. None tested pesticide affected the viability of treated eggs. Azoxystrobin, benomyl, imibenconazole, iprodione, metalaxyl + mancozeb and triforine were harmless to first- and second-instar nymphs of O. insidiosus, whereas abamectin, acephate and chlorfenapyr were shown to be harmful to nymphs of both first and second instars. The pre-oviposition period, the daily number of eggs, number of eggs in ten days, and egg viability were not affected by azoxystrobin, benomyl, imibenconazole, iprodione, metalaxyl + mancozeb and triforine. These pesticides, for showing low toxicity to the predator, can be recommended in disease management programs for chrysanthemum crops, in association with O. insidiosus.     

Results of the fifth joint pesticide testing programme carried out by the IOBC/WPRS-Working Group “Pesticides and beneficial organisms”

Laboratory, semi field and field tests to assess the side effects of 20 pesticides on 19 different beneficial organisms were carried out by members of the Working Group “Pesticides and Beneficial Organisms” of the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC), West Palearctic Regional Section (WPRS). This 5^th joint pesticide testing programme of the working group was carried out by 21 participants in 11 European countries. The pesticides (7 insecticides, 8 fungicides and 5 herbicides), that were chosen for their possible selectivity, were tested according to internationally approved principles. Among the 20 preparations tested, the insecticides Apollo SOSC, Cesar S.L., the fungicides Baycor, Delan flüssig, Vitigran, Impact, Rovral PM, and the herbicides Luxan 2,4-D amine, Ally and Dirigol-N were harmless to nearly all the beneficial organisms tested and are recommended for use in integrated control programmes. The further testing of the remaining 10 preparations is recommended. The activities of the working group to complete the development of urgently needed sequential procedure to test the side effects of pesticides on beneficial organisms based on standard laboratory, semi field and field methods and the need for more international cooperation are discussed.      

Impact of vineyard pesticides on a beneficial arthropod, Typhlodromus pyri (Acari: Phytoseiidae), in laboratory bioassays

Laboratory bioassays were conducted to evaluate the effects of six vineyard pesticides on Typhlodromus pyri Scheuten (Acari: Phytoseiidae), a key predator of the mite Calepitrimerus vitis Nalepa (Acari: Eriophyoidae), in Pacific coastal vineyards. Materials tested were whey powder, 25% boscalid + 13% pyraclostrobin (Pristine), 40% myclobutanil (Rally), micronized sulfur (92% WP), 75% ethylene bisdithiocarbamate (mancozeb; Manzate), and 91.2% paraffinic oil (JMS Stylet), all applied at three concentrations. Pesticide dilutions were directly sprayed onto T. pyri adult females and juveniles, and each treatment was assessed to determine effects on direct mortality and fecundity. Five of the six pesticides tested resulted in < 50% mortality to adult and juvenile T. pyri for all concentrations 7 d after treatment. Paraffinic oil treatments displayed direct mortality > 50% for adult and juvenile assays and resulted in significantly higher mortality. Sublethal effects were more pronounced than acute pesticide toxicity, particularly in juvenile mite bioassays. Significant decreases in fecundity were detected in the sulfur and mancozeb treatments compared with the control in juvenile tests. The relative percentage of fecundity reduction for juvenile mites was highest when applying mancozeb (> 70%), sulfur (> 25%), or myclobutanil (> 20%). Adult mites displayed the greatest reductions in fecundity from applications of paraffinic oil (> 20%) or mancozeb (> 15%) treatments. Boscalid (+ pyraclostrobin) and whey displayed the least effect on fecundity across all bioassays. These results can be used to develop management guidelines in vineyard pest management practices to help conserve and enhance predatory mite populations.     

Development of a biological control-based Integrated Pest Management method for Bemisia tabaci for protected sweet pepper crops

The tobacco whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is a key pest in commercial sweet pepper crops in southeast Spain. Its biological control is currently based on augmentative introductions of the parasitic wasp Eretmocerus mundus Mercet (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), which need to be occasionally supplemented with pesticide applications. These pesticides can be harmful for the biological control agents. Therefore, it is important to improve the current strategy by reducing dependency on pesticides. Two potential solutions are conceivable: addition of another effective biocontrol agent or application of pesticide prior to the release of biocontrol agents. The mirid bug Nesidiocoris tenuis Reuter (Heteroptera: Miridae) and the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) are promising candidates as additional biocontrol agents. The aim of the present study was to test these possible solutions in two subsequent trials, i.e., a 'selection' and an 'improvement' experiment. In the selection experiment, four treatments were compared: E. mundus , N. tenuis  +  E. mundus , A. swirskii  +  E. mundus , and A. swirskii  +  N. tenuis  +  E. mundus . Amblyseius swirskii appeared able to significantly increase effectiveness against the pest, in contrast to N. tenuis, which did not contribute to whitefly control. The best strategy was the combination of E. mundus and A. swirskii . In the improvement experiment, three treatments were compared: E. mundus , A. swirskii  +  E. mundus , and A. swirskii  +  E. mundus +  pesticides. Amblyseius swirskii again proved capable of significantly reducing whitefly populations, and the implementation of pesticides before the release of the biocontrol agents was shown to increase the effectiveness against the pest even more.     

Seasonal population fluctuations of the diamondback moth,Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lep.: Plutellidae) on different cauliflower cultivars

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lep.: Plutellidae) is one of the most important pests of cruciferous plants throughout the world. In recent years, it has been identified as a serious pest of the cauliflower fields in Tehran province. Resistance of P. xylostella to all main groups of insecticides has been recorded and it is ranked in the 20 most resistant pest species reported until now. According to many researchers, to solve the problem of pest resistance to chemical pesticides, an integrated pest management programme should be used. Despite this condition, it seems that the use of resistant cauliflower cultivars is an appropriate policy for integrated control of the pest in the field. In order to identify the most resistant cultivar in the field, eight cauliflower cultivars in a completely randomised design with five replicates were planted at the Shahed University research field (south of Tehran). Density of eggs, larvae and pupae of P. xylostella were measured every 10 days in these cultivars. The results showed that there is no significant difference between numbers of eggs per plant on different cultivars. But number of larvae and pupae per plant were significantly different among different cultivars. Smilla and Snow mystique cultivars had the highest number of larvae and pupae. On the other hand, Buris and Snow crown cultivars had the lowest number of pupae and Snow crown and SG cultivars had the lowest number of larvae per plant. According to the results, the Buris and Snow crown cultivars had the lowest infestation and had a kind of resistance to pest.     

Influence of leaf trichome density on the efficiency of two polyphagous insect predators

Plant characteristics, such as leaf structure or hairiness, are important for the movement and attachment of insects. It has been suggested that increased trichome density on new Salix cinerea L. (Salicaceae) leaves, produced after grazing by the willow leaf beetle Phratora vulgatissima L. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), function as an inducible defence against the beetle and especially its larvae. Here we studied whether and how two of the main natural enemies of P. vulgatissima, viz., Anthocoris nemorum L. (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) and Ortothylus marginalis L. (Heteroptera: Miridae), were influenced by trichome density on S. cinerea leaves. The effect of trichome density on these two predators was studied on plants with different trichome densities, comparing natural enemy efficiency, measured as number of P. vulgatissima eggs consumed or larvae missing and/or killed. To obtain different trichome densities, cuttings of several different clones of S. cinerea were used. In the experiment using eggs as prey, an increase in trichome density was, in addition, induced through leaf beetle defoliation on half of the plants of each willow clone. Furthermore, a field study was performed to investigate whether trichome density was correlated with natural enemy abundance. The results indicate that neither the efficiency of these two natural enemies in the greenhouse, nor their abundance in the field was influenced by trichome density. A well‐known behavioural difference between the two predator species could probably account for the higher disappearance of larvae after exposure to the more active predator. These findings are relevant for the development of pest management programs, not least because the enemies are polyphagous predators. It is concluded that an induced increase in leaf hairiness in willows in response to leaf beetle grazing could be a plant resistance trait worthy of further study in this system, because no negative effects on the main natural enemies were observed.     

Development and implementation of a reduced risk peach arthropod management program in New Jersey

We implemented a 2-yr program to reduce organophosphorus and carbamate insecticide use and mitigate their associated risks as they relate to peach production in New Jersey and elsewhere. The main thrust integrated mating disruption with ground cover management practices to reduce oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), and tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) (Heteroptera: Miridae), abundance and damage. This Reduced Risk Peach Arthropod Management Program was compared with adjacent conventionally managed peach orchards. In 1999, we found 2.3 times fewer L. lineolaris and stink bugs (Euschistus servus (Say), E. tristigmus (Say), Acrostemum hilare (Say) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) and 2.0 times less heteropteran damaged peaches in reduced-risk orchards when compared with conventionally managed orchards. In 2000, we observed 4.9 times fewer heteropteran insects in reduced-risk orchards but damage levels were not significantly different between the two programs. In both years, G. molesta mating disruption gave at least 4 mo of noninsecticidal control of this major pest. The reduced-risk program provided a level of pest control that was equal to or better than conventional peach pest management programs while using fewer organophosporus and carbamate insecticides.     

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%).     

Induction of adult diapause and of low and high reproductive states in a parasitoid wasp,Ooencyrtus nezarae, by photoperiod and temperature

Ooencyrtus nezarae Ishii (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) was reared on eggs ofRiptortus clavatus (Thunberg) (Heteroptera: Alydidae) at various temperatures under long-day (L16:D8) or short-day (L10:D14) conditions. There was no diapause during egg, larval or pupal stages under any set of conditions examined. However, at 15°C under short-day conditions, vitellogenesis was arrested in all adult females and they entered diapause. At 15°C under long-day conditions, or at 20°C under short-day conditions, some adult females entered diapause. Under the latter set of conditions, the adult females laid eggs but they laid fewer eggs than under long-day conditions, Even at 25°C, under short-day conditions, adult females laid fewer eggs than under long-day conditions, and this low rate of oviposition was attributed to the retarded development of ovaries. Diapause adults reared at 15°C were more resistant to low temperature than nondiapause adults reared at 25°C.     

Summer dormancy ensures univoltinism in the predatory bug Picromerus bidens

The seasonal cycle of Picromerus bidens L. (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) is usually considered to be univoltine with an obligatory winter egg diapause. Seasonal adaptations of the species were studied in the laboratory and in field experiments. When reared under short-day photoperiodic conditions (L12:D12 and L14:D10), all females began to lay eggs synchronously soon after their emergence. However, in the females reared under long-day conditions (L18:D6 and L20:D4) and outdoors in June–July, oviposition was significantly delayed. This delay in reproduction induced by photoperiodic conditions and then spontaneously terminated was considered to be aestivation. Egg batches laid by females in the laboratory and in the field were kept at 25 °C for two months. From 30.8 to 93.8% of batches contained eggs which hatched without cold treatment between day 14 and 60 after oviposition. The proportion of eggs hatched was 17.7 to 20.9% in the short-day regimes, while it was significantly less (5.7 to 6.0%) under long-day conditions. It is concluded that in some eggs diapause is of low intensity and that if under natural conditions the first batches had been laid at the end of June, nymphs would have hatched at least from some eggs during the same season even without cold treatment. Such untimely hatching would have resulted in the death of nymphs and adults unprepared for overwintering. A photoperiodic response which induces aestivation in the early emerging adults in June–August may prevent early oviposition and occurrence of a second generation and thus maintains univoltinism in P. bidens.     

Can microbial-based insecticides replace chemical pesticides in agricultural production?

Extensive use of chemical insecticides to control insect pests in agriculture has improved yields and production of high-quality food products. However, chemical insecticides have been shown to be harmful also to beneficial insects and many other organisms like vertebrates. Thus, there is a need to replace those chemical insecticides by other control methods in order to protect the environment. Insect pest pathogens, like bacteria, viruses or fungi, are interesting alternatives for production of microbial-based insecticides to replace the use of chemical products in agriculture. Organic farming, which does not use chemical pesticides for pest control, relies on integrated pest management techniques and in the use of microbial-based insecticides for pest control. Microbial-based insecticides require precise formulation and extensive monitoring of insect pests, since they are highly specific for certain insect pests and in general are more effective for larval young instars. Here, we analyse the possibility of using microbial-based insecticides to replace chemical pesticides in agricultural production.     

Microencapsulated Spodoptera frugiperda nucleopolyhedrovirus: insecticidal activity and effect on arthropod populations in maize

Excessive use of chemical insecticides to control Spodoptera frugiperda in maize (Zea mays L.) crops in Colombia has resulted in pest resistance and environmental contamination. A Colombian multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (SfMNPV) was produced in laboratory reared larvae and formulated as a wettable powder by microencapsulating the viral occlusion bodies (OBs) with a methacrylic acid polymer. Microencapsulated OBs were tested for insecticidal activity in laboratory, greenhouse and field bioassays, and were then sprayed onto a commercial crop where their effect on arthropod populations was estimated. In laboratory bioassay, microencapsulated and non-microencapsulated OBs caused a larval mortality of 98 and 96%, respectively. The percent of plants showing recent feeding damage in a greenhouse experiment oscillated between 2.5 and 7.5% when OBs were applied compared to 70% observed in the control. In two field trials, the highest dose of 1.5×10¹² OBs/ha (1500 g/ha) was selected as the recommended rate for field application in maize crops, with efficacies higher than 70%. Total arthropod populations were negatively affected by chemical pesticides; whereas the OBs formulation did not affect the diversity of these organisms. Our results indicate that microencapsulated SfMNPV has the potential to be commercialised as an alternative to substitute or complement chemical insecticides in fall armyworm integrated management programmes.     

Biological substitutes for pesticides

In the 20th century an increasing number of pesticides, based on biocidal molecules, were the means for a substantial increase in food and fibre production and quality. Because of health and environmental concerns continued extensive use of such molecules is intensively debated and substitutes are often urgently required. Beside crop plant resistance, various biological control methods based on natural pest suppressing organisms are regarded as main alternatives. Several approaches and concepts also have been tested and commercial organism-based preparations are steadily increasing. However, further biotechnological efforts are required to give them status of being practical substitutes to pesticides. At present they are not comparable to pesticides in meeting efficacy, market and other expectations, but they still have a promising future, especially where genetically modified organisms can be used.     

Susceptibility of twolined spittlebug (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) life stages to entomophagous arthropods in turfgrass

Prosapia bicincta (Say) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae), the twolined spittlebug, is an economic pest of turfgrass in the southeastern United States. No data concerning natural enemies of P. bicincta in turfgrass have been reported previously. We compared predation of spittlebug eggs, nymphs, and adults in the laboratory by potential generalist predators commonly found in turfgrass: bigeyed bugs Geocoris uliginosus Say and Geocoris punctipes Say; red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren; wolf spiders (Lycosa sp. Walckenaer); carabid beetles Harpalaus pensylvanicus DeGeer and Calosoma sayi Dejean; and tiger beetles Megacephala carolina carolina L. Eggs were readily consumed by generalist predators. S. invicta consumed 100% of the eggs offered. H. pensylvanicus and C. sayi were also significant predators of P. bicincta eggs. Nymphs live in spittlemasses that protect them from attack by predators, but exposed nymphs were susceptible to attack when mechanically removed from their spittlemasses. S. invicta and M. carolina carolina caused significant mortality of exposed nymphs. P. bicincta adults are aposematic and have the ability to reflex bleed; however, reflex bleeding did not prevent attack by predators. S. invicta and M. carolina carolina killed 100% of the adult spittlebugs offered in laboratory bioassays. Lycosa sp. are less voracious predators of adults. Sound background knowledge about P. bicincta and its potential natural enemy complex is important for the development and implementation of a detailed, site-specific, biologically based pest management program in turfgrass.