Interaction between the predatorXylocoris sordidusandBacillus thuringiensisbioinsecticides

• DOI: 10.1111/eea.12896
• Publication Date: 2020-04-04T03:53:41Z
• Authors: Nathália A. dos S...; Dagmara G. Ramalho; Hortência M. Marques; Joana D.S. Godoy; Caroline P. De Bo...; Gustavo O. de Mag...; Alessandra Mariel...; Sergio A. De Bortoli
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; integrated pest management; interference; 500; biological control; 01 natural sciences; Hemiptera; biocontrol agent; functional response; Anthocoridae; consumption rate; predatory capacity; IPM; Plutella xylostella; diamondback moth

AbstractXylocorisspecies (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) are known to occur in various habitats and attack a diversity of agriculturally important prey. Other groups of organisms, such as strains ofBacillus thuringiensisBerliner (Bt) bacteria, also have been extensively studied and applied as biological control agents. The use of theseBt‐bioinsecticides in association with predators may be a good strategy in integrated pest management. This work had the objective to study predator behaviour, predatory capacity, and functional response of fifth‐instar nymphs ofXylocoris sordidus(Reuter) to eggs ofPlutella xylostella(L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) andCorcyra cephalonica(Stainton) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) treated with one of three commercialBt‐bioinsecticides. The predator presented a type II functional response to untreatedP. xylostellaeggs (control) and to eggs treated with Agree, whereas the response was type III toP. xylostellaeggs treated with Xentari and Dipel. However, on a diet ofC. cephalonicaeggs the predator displayed a type II response curve on eggs treated with each of the three bioinsecticides, and a type III response on untreated eggs. Bioinsecticides based onB. thuringiensismay be used in association withX. sordiduspredators to control lepidopterous pest species.