Taxonomy and New Distributional Records of Miridae (Hemiptera) Species as Predators in Cotton Agroecosystems

Abstract

Extensive taxonomic and faunistic surveys were conducted in cotton agroecosystems to document the diversity, distribution, and predatory role of mirid bugs (Hemiptera: Miridae) associated with cotton pests. Sampling was carried out across multiple cotton-growing regions during different crop phenological stages using sweep netting, beat sheet sampling, and direct field observations. Collected specimens were examined using detailed morphological characterization focusing on diagnostic features such as body coloration, antennal segmentation, rostrum structure, hemelytral patterns, and male genitalia. Several mirid species belonging to predatory genera were identified, including multiple new distributional records from cotton ecosystems in the surveyed regions. Molecular characterization using mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene sequencing further supported species delimitation and confirmed phylogenetic relationships among collected taxa. The identified mirids were frequently associated with key cotton pests such as aphids, whiteflies, and lepidopteran eggs and early instar larvae, indicating their ecological importance as generalist predators. Seasonal abundance patterns revealed higher population densities during flowering and early boll development stages of cotton, coinciding with peak pest activity. Variations in species composition and abundance were influenced by climatic conditions, crop management practices, and pesticide application regimes. Cotton fields with reduced insecticide input supported higher diversity and abundance of predatory mirids, suggesting their sensitivity to chemical disturbances. The discovery of new distributional records expands current knowledge of mirid biodiversity in cotton ecosystems and highlights their potential role in natural pest suppression.