The Potential of Nabis americoferus and Orius insidiosus as Biological Control Agents of Lygus lineolaris in Strawberry Fields.

The tarnished plant bug, , is a major strawberry pest. Only marginally effective control methods exist to manage this pest. Various predators attack , but their potential is overlooked. In this study, we explore the potential of two omnivorous predators of the tarnished plant bug: the damsel bug, , and the minute pirate bug, . Firstly, the predation rate of these predators was measured in laboratory tests. Secondly, their potential release rates and release periods were determined in the field using strawberry plants. The results show that feeds on all nymphal stages and adults of the tarnished plant bug, while attacks only smaller nymphs (up to the N2 stage). In the field, all tested densities of (0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 individual/plant) reduced the population of the tarnished plant bug for several weeks compared with the control treatment, but the effect of alone was marginal. Additionally, for all the release periods tested, was efficient in reducing the pest population. These results demonstrate the potential of to control the tarnished plant bug in strawberry fields. We discuss the possible application of these results for establishing an effective and economically viable biological control strategy.