Maintenance and Reproduction of Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) on potted Verbena ×hybrida ‘Tapian’

Abstract

We tested the suitability of Verbena ×hybrida ‘Tapian’ grown in planter cases (60 cm × 19 cm × 18 cm deep; 6 plants each) at maintaining Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Miridae). Three months after the release of 50 adults per planter, each planter supported up to 750 adults and nymphs. The plant area stopped increasing at 1 m² per planter, and the aboveground biomass likewise stopped increasing at about 200 g. The N. tenuis population built up, even as the number of flowers decreased to zero.