The effects of alternative host plant species and plant quality on Dicyphus hesperus populations

Publication date: Available online 30 May 2016 Source:Biological Control Author(s): Lida Nguyen-Dang, Meghan Vankosky, Sherah VanLaerhoven Biological control can be used to defend important crops against insect pests, including those that are insecticide resistant. Dicyphus hesperus Knight (Hemiptera: Miridae) is a generalist zoophytophagous predator and biological control agent of Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), the greenhouse whitefly. Because D. hesperus is an omnivore, the structure of the plant community and the nutritional value of the plants in the release habitat are likely to affect its establishment and population growth. Fifteenadult D. hesperus (ten females, five males) were placed into arenas that contained a tomato plant (Solanum lycopersicum L., Solanales: Solanaceae) of either high or low leaf nitrogen content and one of three alternative host plants: mullein (Verbascum thaspus L., Lamiales: Scrophulariaceae), pepper (Capiscum annuum L., Solanales: Solanaceae), or eggplant (Solanum melongena L., Solanales: Solanaceae). Adults remained in the enclosures for seven days; following their removal, F1 generation nymphs, and subsequently, F1 adults were counted as they emerged and the percent change in population size between generations was calculated. Nymph emergence was affected by both the alternative host plant, such that emergence was greatest in arenas with mullein. Tomato nitrogen content only affected nymph emergence ...

Source: Biological Control - May 30, 2016 Category: Biology Source Type: research