Development and prey preference of Macrolophus basicornis (Hemiptera: Miridae) feeding on Myzus persicae and Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

• Published in: Revista de protección vegetal
• Main Authors: Baños-Díaz, Heyker L., Martinez-Rivero, María de los Ángeles
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: Centro Nacional de Sanidad Agropecuaria 01-04-2018
• Subjects: ACOUSTICS; consumo; preferencia de presa; biological characteristics; áfidos; consumption; características biológicas; prey preference; aphids; Macrolophus basicornis
• ISSN: 2224-4697; 2224-4697

Biological characteristics, consumption, and prey preference of the predatory bug Macrolophus basicornis preying on Myzus persicae or Macrosiphum euphorbiae on tomato plants were studied. Incubation period of the predator´s eggs was of 8 days and its nymphs presented five instars regardless of the prey consumed. All the nymphal stages showed a similar development time with the exception of the 2nd instar. There were no significant differences between the size and weight of M. basicornis nymphs feeding on M. persicae or on M. euphorbiae. The average rate of aphid consumption revealed significant differences between the 5th instar nymph and the females of the predator when they had no option to choose the prey. In addition, the fifth nymphal stage consumed significantly more aphids in 24 h than the other stages. The females had a high rate of predation comparable to the fifth nymphal stage. M. basicornis was shown to be capable of completing its cycle on preys like Myzus persicae or Macrosiphum euphorbiae. The biological characteristics and prey consumption by M. basicornis were strongly influenced by the prey species and size, the latter being able to influence the prey preference of the predator