Predation rate and prey preference of Nesidiocoris tenuis on Ephestia kuehniella and Tuta absoluta eggs in laboratory

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection

Abstract

Ephestia kuehniella eggs are among protein rich sources for mass production of the predator Nesidiocoris tenuis. It has been used as an alternative prey for the predator establishment in the tomato greenhouses. Comparing the predation rate of N. tenuis on E.  kuehniella and Tuta absoluta eggs, a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design (CRD) was conducted and performed under laboratory conditions. Results indicated that predator sex and prey species significantly affected the rate of predation. The predation values of the female predatory on E. kuehniella and T. absolutaeggs were 58±4.83 and 77.50±4.83, respectively, showing a significant difference (P < 0.0001). The predation rates of the male predatory on the E. kuehniella and T. absolutaeggs were 27.50±4.83 and 61.44±5.09 respectively, showing a significant difference (P < 0.0001). In the prey preference test, predation of the female on the E. kuehniella and T. absolutaeggs were 41.3±3.63 and 29.8±3.20 respectively. Mean consumption of the male individuals from E. kuehniella eggs was 14.33±1.53 and from T. absolutaeggs was 20.33±2.39. The Manley’s preference indices (𝛽) female were 0.64±0.07 and 0.36±0.08 for the E. kuehniella (prey I) and T. absolutaeggs (prey II), respectively. While Manley’s indices (𝛽) for male were 0.38±0.02 and 0.62±0.04 for the E. kuehniella and T. absolutaeggs, respectively. According to our data, the male predatory showed preference towards the T. absolutaeggs than the E. kuehniella eggs. Therefore, based on the Manley’s preference indices (𝛽), females of N. tenuis need more E. kuehniella eggs to provide their dietary requirements for fecundity. In conclusion, E. kuehniella eggs can be used as an alternative food source in tomato greenhouses, especially when the main prey is insufficient or absent.

 

Keywords

References

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BioControl in Plant Protection
Volume 5, Issue 1
September 2017
Pages 31-43

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