Quantifying fecundity and longevity of a potential native generalist biological control agent (Nabis americoferus) on a greenhouse tomato system

Tuta absoluta, a leaf-mining moth (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is continuing to cause countless damage to tomato crops throughout Eurasia. Over time it has developed insecticide resistance and continued expanding its host range. Through recent exploration for a new native biological control agent (BCA) throughout Southwestern Ontario, an established colony of Nabis americoferus Carayon (Hemiptera: Nabidae) has been created. Coming from a predatory lineage suggested the possibility of a successful suppressor of pests such as Tuta absoluta in the agroecosystems. Characterization of this species is required to determine its effectiveness as a potential BCA species. Therefore, this study observed the life history parameters of N.americoferus. Parameters including longevity, realized fecundity, and oviposition rate within an economically significant tomato host plant system. Adult females survived significantly longer than males, with males and females surviving for a mean of 22.1 and 58.3 days, respectively. Some female individuals lived as long as 112 days and laid a mean of 43 eggs throughout their lifetimes. Finally, the daily oviposition rate was equivalent to a mean of 1.7 offspring per day. Altogether, key population parameters were recorded to assist in future optimization in the development and use of predators within the field and greenhouse agroecosystem pest suppression. N.americoferus has shown promising traits similar to that of currently used BCA’s.