This laboratory study was undertaken to document predation of the chinch bug, Blissus occiduus Barber by big-eyed bugs, Geocoris spp., an important beneficial arthropod in buffalograss turf. Twenty 1st and 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th instar, or adult chinch bugs were introduced into 16.5 cm diameter arenas with a single fifth instar big-eyed bug. A small vial containing sprigs of ‘378' buffalograss provided sustenance for chinch bugs during the experiment. Big-eyed bugs preyed on all chinch bug life stages evaluated. Mean predation of the twenty 1st and 2nd instar chinch bugs exceeded 96% after 24 hours. Big-eyed bugs consumed 57% and 25% of 3rd and 4th instars, respectively. Less than 10% of 5th instar or adult chinch bugs were consumed during the 24 hour evaluation period. This research confirms that big-eyed bugs serve as important chinch bug predators, especially on early instar nymphs, and suggests their potential as biological control agents for managing chinch bugs in buffalograss.
Species 1: Heteroptera Lygaeidae Blissus occiduus (western chinch bug)
Species 2: Heteroptera Lygaeidae Geocoris (bigeyed bug)
Keywords: biological control
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