Affiliation:
1. Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70126 Bari, Italy
2. Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Department of Marine Sciences and Applied Biology, University of Alicante, 03080 Alicante, Spain
Abstract
Mass production is a prerequisite for using natural enemies in integrated pest management and organic farming. Natural enemies in agroecosystems include predators that prey on insects, which they can subdue while maintaining adequate pest population densities. The Leafhopper Assassin Bug (LAB), Zelus renardii, can be a natural enemy in agroecosystems, selecting its prey for size and mobility. Some of LAB’s prey include Philaenus spumarius (L.), Bactrocera oleae (Rossi), Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), and Macrohomotoma gladiata Kuwayama, suggesting this reduviid for biocontrol agent in various contexts. We reared LABs for two subsequent broods offering living prey and artificial diets. Our data show that the rearing of Z. renardii is feasible with oligidic, meridic, and holidic artificial formulations. Four artificial diets allowed the complete post-embryonic development of LABs in captivity for two successive generations. The accumulated degree-days (ADDs) accurately predict the growth of LABs based on heat accumulation, estimating that up to three generations could grow per year in captivity at the experimented T°C.
Funder
Pest Organisms Threatening Europe
Xylella Fastidiosa Active Containment Through a multidisciplinary-Oriented Research Strategy
CURE-Xf
AGRITECH European Union Next-GenerationEU
MASAF
RIGENERA—Approcci integRati per il mIglioramento GENEtico, la selezione e l’ottenimento di materiali vegetali Resistenti a Xylella fastidiosA
Regione Puglia