Evaluation of predatory potential and prey stage preference of mirid bug, Nesidiocoris tenuis on tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta

Mirid bug, Nesidiocoris tenuis is a voracious predatory bug that is spontaneously present in horticultural crops. Recently, it has been reported and practiced as a biocontrol agent against several insect pests. In the present study, we have evaluated mirid bug’s predatory potential against Tuta absoluta developmental stages. Eggs, 1st, 2nd and 3rd larval instars of T. absoluta were seemingly the most preferred by all feeding stages of the mirid bugs. The 4th larval instar and pupae of T. absoluta were not pre-selected to feed during any stage of N. tenuis. As the T. absoluta immature stages grew in size, their total prey consumption decreased. The olfactory bioassay was performed for the adults of N. tenuis against tomato plants infested with various developmental stages of T. absoluta, using a Y-tube olfactometer. The results revealed that the early stages of T. absoluta, especially eggs emit volatiles to allure the N. tenuis adults. These outcomes enriched the resources for mass rearing of N. tenuis and their efficacy in the field, which will undoubtedly aid the farmers in the prevention of crop damage due to pests and control the tomato pinworm.