Control of Echinothrips americanus on lima bean by Franklinothrips vespiformis crawford using supplemental food

Authors: SCHOELLER, ERIN - University Of Florida; McKenzie, Cindy; OSBORNE, L - University Of Florida

Submitted to: BioControl
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/24/2022
Publication Date: 7/15/2022
Citation: Schoeller, E.N., Mckenzie, C.L., Osborne, L.S. 2022. Control of Echinothrips americanus on lima bean by Franklinothrips vespiformis crawford using supplemental food. Biocontrol. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-022-10151-9.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-022-10151-9

Interpretive Summary: The use of natural enemies as biological control agents of insect pests is an important component of sustainable pest management strategies. The poinsettia thrips, Echinothrips americanus, is a polyphagous species which causes serious damage to at least 100 plant species in 40 families, many of which are economically important ornamental and horticultural crops. We investigated the potential of a large predatory thrips, Franklinothrips vespiformis, ability to control poinsettia thrips using Artemia cysts as a supplemental food source. Our results showed that F. vespiformis is an effective predator of poinsettia thrips, however, Artemia cysts application did not enhance biological control which was likely due to the strong predatory response exhibited by F. vespiformis. Aligned with our predictions, however, was that Artemia cyst application promoted the persistence of F. vespiformis in the crop. These findings demonstrate that Artemia cysts provided as a supplemental food for F. vespiformis is a promising tactic for the long-term management of E. americanus.

Technical Abstract: Supplemental food application to crops as a resource for generalist predators has shown utility for promoting their establishment and persistence leading to enhanced biological control of target pests. The decapsulated cysts of the brine shrimp Artemia franciscana is especially seeing increased use over other supplemental foods due to lower production costs and risk of enhancing pest populations. This study assessed the use of Artemia cysts as a supplemental food for enhancing biological control of Echinothrips americanus Morgan using the predator Franklinothrips vespiformis Crawford on greenhouse lima beans. The global economic threat of E. americanus is rising due to few effective biological control options against it, but large predators such as F. vespiformis may overcome some of these challenges. Our results showed that F. vespiformis is an effective predator of E. americanus, however, Artemia cysts application did not enhance biological control of E. americanus which was likely due to the strong predatory response exhibited by F. vespiformis. Aligned with our predictions, however, was that Artemia cyst application promoted the persistence of F. vespiformis in the crop. These findings demonstrate that Artemia cysts provided as a supplemental food for F. vespiformis is a promising tactic for the long-term management of E. americanus.