Macrolophus caliginosus

Macrolophus is a bug belonging to the family of Miridae, the order Hemiptera or Heteroptera. It is an endemic of Mediterranean. The body of an adult individual is oblong, downy, light-yellow, 2.7–3.7 mm in length. The female has a well-expressed ovipositor. The egg is slightly curved, yellow-green or gray-yellow. In natural conditions the predator overwinters in the stage of the third age nymph under leaf rosettes. The period of embryonic development is 14–35 days (on an average 21 days.). The larva of the predator begins development at 13°C independently on air humidity. It is able to withstand a temperature of 42°C. Dependently on the temperature of air the duration of larva stage development is 18–25 days. The maximal life span of the female is 71 days (on an average 30). The male lives 27–30 days dependently on temperature and food resource. The duration of the development of one generation is 37–43 days. Potential fertility is 140 eggs, but the real is 70–80 eggs. The increase of temperature to 30°C and higher reduces fertility quickly. The female lays eggs in the veins and the stakes of a leaf blade. Owing to long legs the predator is able to move actively on the plants covered with hairs. The most active stages in feeding process are the larvae of the 4th-5th ages. The imago is less gluttonous. An individual kills about 30 larvae of elder ages or about 40 adult aphids per day. During life span an individual of the bug is able to kill 3500 eggs or 2500 larvae of the whitefly.

Macrolophus caliginosus Macrolophus caliginosus Macrolophus caliginosus

Application

In the conditions of glass-covered ground the preys of the bug Macrolophus caliginosus are greenhouse whiteflies, different species of aphids, thrips, spider mites. But the entomophage prefers to feed on whiteflies. The predator is applied on many vegetable (the tomato, the cucumber, the eggplant, the sweet pepper) and ornamental-flower crops (the rose, the chrysanthemum and etc.). In the conditions of the deficiency of the main food source it can feed on plant sap.

Taking into account the long duration of entomophage ontogenesis it is recommended to invade the predator when the first signs of pests arise (early stages). The rate of predator invasion is 0.25–1 individual per 1 m2 for preventive application and 4–6 individuals per 1 m2 for the average and the high density of pest colonization. Invasions are realized in the morning or in the evening on isolated territory (closed doors and air vents). It is necessary to avoid application in a sunny day. The predator possesses a high activity. The effectiveness of entomophage application is increased by means of complex using together with such entomophages as Encarsia formosa and Eretmocerus eremicus.

Certain chemical insecticides can be combined with the application of Macrolophus caliginosus. But some of them can reduce entomophage population because of their direct toxic influence on some stages of predator ontogenesis. The application of some synthetic pesticides may cause the migration of the entomophage.

Advantages

  • the long-term effect and the stable population of the entomophage;
  • ability to control whiteflies of the genus Trialeurodes and Bemisia;
  • resistance to low temperature;
  • the important component of complex IPM-programs against whiteflies.

Storage and transportation

  • keep out of direct sunlight;
  • do not store the predator long time (more than 4–5 days);
  • apply immediately or within 18 hours since the moment of application.