Prospects for predatory mirid bugs as biocontrol agents of aphids in sweet peppers

摘要: In recent years, biological control strategies to many major horticultural pests have been successfully implemented in the Eastern Mediterranean basin. However, management of some pests, such as aphids sweet pepper crops, can still be improved. The goal this study was examine potential omnivorous predatory mirids Nesidiocoris tenuis, Macrolophus pygmaeus, and Dicyphus maroccanus biocontrol agents crops. First, capacity detect Myzus persicae-infested un-infested plants studied a Y-tube olfactometer. Females three species were strongly attracted odor infested M. persicae plants. Second, prey suitability young mature nymphs for these mirid studied. actively preyed on persicae, although D. resulted most voracious preying both nymphs. Finally, predators reduce heavily determined semi-field conditions. could reproduce establish Mirids significantly reduced number per leaf, reaching levels aphid reduction close 100 % when compared untreated control. These results suggest that might play role peppers. implementation methods peppers are discussed.