Effects of Xylocoris flavipes (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) Releases on Moth Populations in Experimental Peanut Storages

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A biological control test in experimental peanut storages indicated that release of large numbers of the warehouse pirate bug, Xylocoris flavipes (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), a generalist predator of stored-product insects, has considerable potential for suppression of stored-product moth populations. Suppression of the almond moth, Cadra cautella (Walker), and the Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), was dependent on both the prey species and environmental conditions. Release of X. flavipes suppressed small populations of almond and Indianmeal moths by as much as 78.8% and 71.4%, respectively, before cold weather and a severe freeze eliminated the almond moth population in January. Suppression of the Indianmeal moth lasted through the 7-month test period. X. flavipes may be useful as one component of an integrated peanut control program based on release of biological agents