Biological Control of Thrips tabaci by Omnivorous Predator Nesidiocoris tenuis on Cucumbers in Greenhouses

Abstract

Thrips-control ability of the mirid bug Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) was investigated against Thrips tabaci Lindeman on cucumbers grown in greenhouses. In 2013, the cucumbers were transplanted in August, and the bugs were released three times with seven-day intervals at the density of 0.5 bugs per plant. In 2014, the bugs were released four times on the cucumbers transplanted in March in the same manner as in 2013. In both trials, the density of thrips on cucumbers was significantly reduced in the bug-released greenhouse.