Life History Traits and Predatory Performance of Belostoma anurum (Hemiptera: Belostomatidae), a Biological Control Agent of Disease Vector Mosquitoes

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 899-908 ◽  
Author(s):  
W R Valbon ◽  
K Haddi ◽  
Y Gutiérrez ◽  
F M Cruz ◽  
K E X Azevedo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Life History ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Disease Vector

scholarly journals Life history parameters and predation capacities of Nesidiocoris volucer: a new biological control agent for tomato crop

2022 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Lucie Marquereau ◽  
Jean-Sébastien Cottineau ◽  
Olivier Fontaine ◽  
Frédéric Chiroleu ◽  
Bernard Reynaud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Life History ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Tomato Crop ◽  
Tropical Areas ◽  
Plant Injury

Abstract Whiteflies are one of the major pests of tomato under greenhouses, and their control partly relies on biocontrol strategies. Among those biocontrol agents, parasitoids or predators are widely used. However, the introduction of a biocontrol agent in a new area is not trivial. For that reason, we investigated the use of a tropical native mirid, Nesidiocoris volucer (Hemiptera: Miridae), for the biological control of whiteflies among other insect pests on tomato crops under greenhouses in the subtropical island of La Réunion, France. Nesidiocoris volucer life history traits and plant injury were examined. Nymphs developed and survived between 15 and 30°C and required on average 49.41 days at 15°C and on average 10.50 days at 30°C to develop (nymph survival >94%). At 25°C, each female produced on average 65 eggs. Nesidiocoris volucer was able to feed on several prey species, but performed better on whiteflies than on spider mites or thrips. No N. volucer feeding injury was observed on tomato. Nesidiocoris volucer has also been found in tropical countries of Africa, and we believe that the data presented on this natural enemy could be of great importance for the biocontrol of whiteflies in tropical areas.

scholarly journals Evolution of life history and dispersal traits during the range expansion of a biological control agent

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eliza Clark ◽  
Ellyn Bitume ◽  
Dan Bean ◽  
Amanda Stahlke ◽  
Paul Hohenlohe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Life History ◽  
Range Expansion ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Dispersal Ability ◽  
Mating Status ◽  
Theory Of Evolution ◽  
Spatial Sorting ◽  
Dispersal Traits

Evolutionary theory predicts that the process of range expansion will lead to differences between core and edge population in life history and dispersal traits. Selection and genetic drift can influence reproductive ability while spatial sorting by dispersal ability can increase dispersal at the edge. However, the context of individuals (e.g., population density and mating status) also impacts dispersal behavior. We evaluated theoretical predictions for evolution of reproductive life history and dispersal traits using the range expansion of a biological control agent, Diorhabda carinulata, or northern tamarisk beetle. We found divergence of fecundity, age at first reproduction, and female body size between core and edge populations. We also show that density and mating status influence dispersal and that dispersal increases at the edge of the range. We demonstrate that theory of evolution during range expansions applies to the range expansion of a biocontrol agent, especially when the ecological context is considered.

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