Predatory mirid Nesidiocoris tenuis (Heteroptera: Miridae) as biological control agent in greenhouse tomato production

Abstract

Species of zoophytophagous genus Dicyphina, plant bugs (Hemiptera: Miridae: Bryocorinae) are among the most abundant and effective predators of tomato pests. Nesidiocoris tenuis Reuter, 1895 (Hemiptera: Miridae) is the predominant species of Dicyphina sp. and it is considered to be a major natural enemy of insect pests in tomato crops in the Mediterranean region. This predatory bug is proved to be particularly successful in suppressing Tuta absoluta Meadow, 1917 (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), a major pest of tomato in greenhouse production. Aims of the study were to 1) investigate the efficiency of the mirid predatory bug N. tenuis in greenhouse tomato production and 2) to estimate the possibilities of its application in commercial vegetable production in Western Balkan countries of Europe. The significance of the study results relies on the possibility of commercialisation and general promotion of biological agent N. tenuis in tomato production in South East part of Europe, where the usage of pesticides still dominates the field of plant protection, both in vegetables and other agricultural sectors. According to the obtained results, the biological agent N. tenuis represents a reliable tool for controlling the level of the tomato leaf miner population by keeping the pest below its economic and intervention threshold.

Keywords

• tuta absoluta
• biocontrol
• dicyphina sp.
• integrated pest management