The beneficial effects of direct predation by zoophytophagous biological control agents (BCAs), such as the mirid bug Nesidiocoris tenuis, are well-known. However, the benefits of zoophytophagous BCAs' relation with host plants, via induction of plant defensive responses, have not been investigated until recently. To date, only the females of certain zoophytophagous BCAs have been demonstrated ...

Insecticide selectivity to natural enemies is an important concern in integrated pest management programs. Although there is a wide range of information concerning pesticide lethal and sublethal effects on contaminated surfaces, little is known when the route of exposure occurs at a trophic level. This study evaluates this route of pesticide intake on the omnivorous predator Nesidiocoris tenuis...

Recent studies have suggested that predatory mirid bugs may be an effective alternative for controlling aphids in sweet pepper greenhouses. This study examined the effect of three constant temperatures (18, 24, and 30 °C) on life history traits species Nesidiocoris tenuis, Macrolophus pygmaeus, Dicyphus bolivari, preying aphid Myzus persicae nicotianae plants. As temperature increased, survival...

Multiple predator effects (MPEs) can modify the strength of pest regulation, causing positive or negative deviations from those that are predicted from independent effects of isolated predators. Despite increasing evidence that omnivory can shape predator-prey interactions, few studies have examined the impact of alternative plant food on interactions between multiple predators. In the present ...

Abstract Zoophytophagous hemipteran predators provide relevant biological control services and their applications are consolidated in greenhouse pest management. The use of plant essential oils (EOs) for sustainable crop protection is being currently promoted. However, further knowledge the potential side effects EOs on predatory mirids (Hemiptera: Miridae) required. Here, we evaluated non-targ...