Biology and Prey Consumption Rate of Macrolophus pygmaeus (Hemiptera: Miridae) on Tuta absoluta Eggs and Larvae

Abstract

Macrolophus pygmaeus (Hemiptera: Miridae) is an important predatory mirid widely utilized in biological control programs for the management of insect pests in greenhouse and field vegetable production systems. Among the major target pests, Tuta absoluta, the tomato leaf miner, is one of the most destructive pests of tomato crops, causing severe yield and quality losses through larval feeding on leaves, stems, and fruits. The present study was conducted to evaluate the biology and prey consumption rate of M. pygmaeus when feeding on eggs and larvae of T. absoluta under controlled laboratory conditions. Developmental duration, survival, longevity, fecundity, and reproductive performance of the predator were assessed while providing different prey stages as food sources. In addition, prey consumption experiments were conducted to determine feeding capacity and predatory efficiency across different developmental stages of the predator. The results demonstrated that M. pygmaeus successfully completed its life cycle on a diet consisting of T. absoluta eggs and larvae, indicating the suitability of the pest as a host prey. Significant differences were observed in developmental rate, survival, and reproductive performance depending on prey stage availability. The predator exhibited high prey consumption rates, particularly during the nymphal and adult stages, with greater preference toward eggs and younger larvae of T. absoluta. Increased prey density positively influenced feeding activity and reproductive output of the predator. The study further revealed that environmental conditions such as moderate temperature and humidity enhanced predator efficiency and population growth. The findings highlight the strong predatory potential of M. pygmaeus against T. absoluta and support its incorporation into integrated pest management programs for sustainable tomato protection. Effective utilization of this predator may contribute to reduced reliance on chemical insecticides and improved ecological balance in tomato production systems.