Intraguild predation and sublethal interactions between two zoophytophagous mirids,Macrolophus pygmaeus and Nesidiocoris tenuis |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Laboratory of Agricultural Zoology and Entomology, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 118 55 Athens, Greece;2. Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, C.P. 8888, Succursale Centre Ville, Montréal, Québec H3C 3P8, Canada;3. Laboratory of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 118 55 Athens, Greece;4. Directorate of Rural Development, El. Venizelou 29, 24500, Kyparissia, Greece;1. Department of Plants and Crops, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium;2. Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Columbia, MO, United States;3. Biological Control of Pest Research Unit, National Biological Control Laboratory, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Stoneville, MS, United States;1. Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, Shiga, Otsu 520-2113, Japan;2. Department of Agrobiological Resources, Faculty of Agriculture, Meijo University, Nagoya, Aichi 468-8502, Japan;1. Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Goiás (IFG), Campus Iporá, Avenida Oeste, Saída para Piranhas, 76200-000 Iporá, State of Goiás, Brazil;2. The University of Lavras (UFLA), Campus Universitário, 37200-000 Lavras, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil;3. São Paulo State University (Unesp), School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, Campus Jaboticabal, Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, 14884-900 Jaboticabal, State of São Paulo, Brazil;1. Faculty of Agronomy, Universidad de Concepción, Av. Vicente Méndez 595, Chillán, Chile;2. Austral Biotech Research Center, Faculty of Science, Universidad Santo Tomás, Av. Ramón Picarte, Valdivia 1130, Chile;3. Polymers Department, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C Concepción, Chile;4. Botany Department, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Oceanography, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C Concepción, Chile |
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| Abstract: | The omnivorous predators Macrolophus pygmaeus and Nesidiocoris tenuis (Hemiptera: Miridae) are important biological control agents of pests on tomato crops. In this study, potential intraguild predation (IGP) interactions between the two species were investigated on tomato. We examined: (a) the within plant distribution of both species in the field, (b) the within plant distribution of each predatory species when co-occurred at high densities on tomato caged plants, (c) their behavioral interactions when enclosed in experimental arenas and (d) the development young and old nymphs of M. pygmaeus when enclosed together with N. tenuis adults. Results revealed that the two predators showed a different distribution pattern on the plants, with N. tenuis exploiting mostly the upper part, whereas M. pygmaeus were mostly observed on the 5th to the 7th leaf from the top. However, when the predators co-occurred, N. tenuis or M. pygmaeus individuals were recorded with increased numbers on the lower or the higher part of the plant, respectively. In the presence of N. tenuis adult young nymphs of M. pygmaeus completed their development to the adult stage, when alternative prey (lepidopteran eggs) was present on the plant, however failed to reach adulthood in the absence of alternative prey. A high percentage of the dead nymphs found with their body fluids totally sucked indicating predation by N. tenuis. However, large 4th instar nymphs of M. pygmaeus were much less vulnerable to N. tenuis than younger. The behavior of N. tenuis was affected by the presence of M. pygmaeus, but at a rate similar to that when two individuals of N. tenuis were enclosed together. Contacts between the predators were recorded in a similar frequency in mono- and heterospecific treatments, whereas aggressive behavior was not observed. This study shows that intraguild interactions between M. pygmaeus and N. tenuis occur but are not intensive. The potential implications of the outcomes for biological control are discussed. |
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| Keywords: | Alternative prey IGP interactions Miridae Tomato |
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