Temperature-driven selection of predatory mirid bugs for im-proving aphid control in sweet pepper crops

Figure 1. Number (mean ± SE) of fourth instar nymphs of M. persicae nicotianae consumed by females of N. tenuis, M. pygmaeus and D. bolivari on sweet pepper leaf discs at 18, 24 and 30 ºC ± 1º C and 14:10 h L:D. Bars topped by different letters represent means that are significantly different among species (ANOVA P < 0.05).

Table 1. Mean (± SE) duration of nymph stages (days) of N. tenuis, M. pygmaeus and D. bolivari preying on M. persicae nicotianae on sweet pepper leaf discs at 18, 24 and 30 ºC ± 1º C and 14:10 h L:D. Means within a row followed by the same letter are not significantly different (Tukey test; P > 0.05).

Figure 2. Instar-specific survival (%) of the immature stages of N. tenuis, M. pygmaeus and D. bolivari when preying on M. persicae nicotianae on sweet pepper leaf discs at 18, 24 and 30 ºC ± 1º C and 14:10 h L:D.

Table 2. Mean (± SE) life time fertility (total offspring produced/female), female longevity (days) and progeny sex ratio (percentage of females/total offspring) of N. tenuis, M. pygmaeus and D. bolivari preying on M. persicae nicotianae on sweet pepper leaf discs at 18, 24 and 30 ºC ± 1º C and 14:10 h L:D.

Figure 3. Age-specific fertility (number of N1 produced/female/day ± SE) of N. tenuis, M. pygmaeus and D. bolivari preying on M. persicae nicotianae on sweet pepper leaf discs at 18 (A), 24 (B) and 30 ºC ± 1º C (C) and 14:10 h L:D.