Development and Reproduction of <i>Nesidiocoris tenuis</i> Reuter (Heteroptera: Miridae): The Effect of Temperature, Origin and Food

ABSTRACT The dicyphine mirid Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Heteroptera: Miridae) is a zoophytophagous biological control agent used in integrated pest management (IPM) programs across the Mediterranean basin, particularly against Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) and whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). Its efficacy as a biological control agent is influenced, among other factors, by temperature, alternative food, and origin, affecting its development, survival, and reproductive potential. In this study, we investigated key biological parameters of two N. tenuis populations, a Greek population and a commercial population, at 25°C and 30°C, using a 1:1 diet of Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs and Artemia sp. cysts (Anostraca: Artemidae). Both populations exhibited longer nymphal development times at 25°C than at 30°C, while no differences were found among males and females. The Greek population exhibited slightly longer development times than the commercial population at both temperatures. Food consumption varied significantly during nymphal development, with the Greek population consuming more than the commercial population. No differences were found in the consumption values of immature males and females. Furthermore, although the predator had access to equal quantities of both food sources ( E. kuehniella eggs and Artemia sp. cysts), it consumed almost exclusively E. kuehniella eggs, suggesting a learning behaviour for selection of diet. Egg production was higher at 30°C compared to 25°C, but female longevity significantly decreased compared to 25°C in both populations. Our findings reveal population‐specific differences in nymphal development and food consumption depending on temperature. In addition, N. tenuis learned to discriminate E. kuehniella eggs from Artemia sp. cysts as preferable food, which may affect the performance of commercial N. tenuis in biological control programs.