پاسخ بویایی سنجی سن شکارگر Macrolophus pygmaeus به بقایای برخی سموم رایج در کنترل شب‌‌پره مینوز گوجه فرنگی Tuta absoluta

The key component of integrated pest management programs of fields and greenhouses pests is application of natural enemies. Among natural enemies, the predatory bug, Macrolophus pygmaeus Rambur (Heteroptera: Miridae), is a generalist predator species which originates in Mediterranean and occurs in the Palearctic region. The predator is used in control of various pests including tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae) in integrate pest management program of tomato greenhouses. Increased application of pesticides in greenhouses results in adverse side effects on natural enemies. One of the side effects of the pesticide residues in biological control is the compound repellency effects. In this study, repellency effects of Neem-Azal, Proclim fit and Avant to M. pygmaeus were investigated by olfactometery trials. For this propose, 25 females and 25 males of the predatory bug were collected from rearing colony and exposed to sublethal vapors of the tested insecticides in Y shape olfactometer device for 10 minutes under laboratory condition (L: D, 8:16h, 26±2ºC and 65±5 RH%). Then, the insect responses to the various insecticide vapors were recorded. Results indicated that male and female of the predatory bugs significantly attracted to Neem-Azal treatment and while Proclim fit and Avant had repellent effect on the predator. Therefore, integrated use of the botanical insecticide, Neem-Azal, with the tested predator can be useful in integrated pest management program of tomato leaf miner. Results of the study can be used in integrated used of the insecticides and the biological control agent in integrated pest management program of T. absoluta.