Plant preference of <i>Nesidiocoris tenuis</i> for tomato and sesame

Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) is an effective zoophytophagous predator of small insect pests in greenhouse vegetables such as tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) and cleome (Cleome hassleriana Chod.) plants fully support the development and reproduction of N. tenuis. Consequently, these non-crop plants are used as secondary plants (e.g., banker plants) for this mirid. However, the preferences of N. tenuis for crop and these non-crop plants remain unclear. In this study, we evaluated the plant preferences of this bug for tomato and sesame in dual-choice tests using potted plants. Individuals naively reared on a plant species [Crassula ovata (Mill.) Druce] unrelated to tomato or sesame exhibited no clear preference for either, suggesting that the innate preference of N. tenuis for both plant species was equal. In contrast, individuals with temporary (24 h) feeding experience on tomato or sesame showed an increased preference for the experienced plant species. These results indicate that plant preference in N. tenuis among these plant species is modulated by learning, suggesting that its plant preference may be artificially manipulated. These findings are consistent with results from a previous study conducted with tomato and cleome and may contribute to improving release strategies for this predator.