The bigeyed bug, Geocoris punctipes, a generalist insect predator common in several agricultural systems, was explored as a biological control agent against pests of ornamentals in greenhouses. This research consisted of three components: 1) evaluation of development and survival of G. punctipes reared on six diets (4 prey species, an artificial meat-based diet, and sunflower seeds), 2) assessment of predatory capabilities of adults reared on an artificial meat-based diet on select pests of greenhouse-grown plants, and 3) determination of the effectiveness of G. punctipes in suppressing populations of western flower thrips and greenhouse whitefly on a cut flower crop, Ageratum houstonium, in the greenhouse. Bigeyed bugs reared on an artificial meat-based diet preyed upon all prey species, and predation was not significantly (p>0.05) different from adults collected from the field. Although bigeyed bugs survived successfully on all diets, those reared on aphids + sunflower seeds had the highest survival and the shortest development time (p<0.05). In the greenhouse, artificially-reared adult bigeyed bugs did significantly (p<0.05) reduce populations of thrips after 3 weeks, although densities of whiteflies were not significantly, although numerically, different. A longer experimental period would likely better clarify the potential of G. punctipes to reduce whitefly populations in the greenhouse. This research contributes to our understanding of beneficial insects and their impact on pest species, and to pest management programs that allow growers of ornamental plants to maximize economic profitability while minimizing environmental impacts.
Species 1: Heteroptera Lygaeidae Geocoris punctipes (bigeyed bug)
Species 2: Homoptera Aleyrodidae Trialeurodes vaporariorum (greenhouse whitefly)
Species 3: Thysanoptera Thripidae Frankliniella occidentalis (western flower thrips)
Keywords: greenhouse, IPM
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