Developing native predatory mirids as novel biocontrol agents for tomato pests in Canada

Canadian tomato growers are challenged with the task of pest management for a variety of insects amidst increasing insecticide resistance and risks of new invasive species. The leafminer moth, Tuta absoluta, is among the most destructive pests expected to threaten the North American tomato industry, therefore insect biocontrol agents (BCAs) against lepidopterans must be at the ready. Native predatory insects make appealing BCAs due to their low ecological risk and fewer regulatory hurdles compared to non-native species, however few native species have been developed as BCAs to date. To identify candidate native BCAs for tomato, we surveyed Ontario and established colonies of two predatory mirids: Dicyphus discrepans and D. famelicus. We quantified the predatory capacity of these mirids against eggs and larvae of lepidopteran proxies for T. absoluta, and determined that they successfully establish populations on field tomato. Life history traits were characterized in a parallel study. Overall these mirids appear to be viable BCAs and their further development would add to the toolbox available to Canadian tomato growers.