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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Maricopa, Arizona » U.S. Arid Land Agricultural Research Center » Pest Management and Biocontrol Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #271793
Title: Assassin Bugs Top the Food Web

Author
item BROWN, LYDIA - University Of Arizona
item VANDERVOET, TIM - University Of Arizona
item ELLSWORTH, PETER - University Of Arizona
item Naranjo, Steven

Submitted to: University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/22/2011
Publication Date: 8/22/2011
Citation: Brown, L., Vandervoet, T., Ellsworth, P., Naranjo, S.E. 2011. Assassin Bugs Top the Food Web. Extension Fact Sheets. Field Crop IPM Shorts, Cooperative Extension, University of Arizona.

Interpretive Summary: Many kinds of arthropod natural enemies (predators and parasitoids) inhabit crop fields in Arizona and can have a large negative impact on several pest insect species that also infest these crops. Assassin bugs are among the largest insect predators found in cotton and other field crops in Arizona and are considered “top” predators because they themselves have no natural enemies. These ambush predators feed mainly on larger insects pests such as caterpillars and plant bugs. They may also attach other predators in the system and this has been shown to disrupt the biological control of some pests such as aphids. This extension circular summarizes some of the biology and ecology of these predators and emphasizes the benefits they can provide in pest control. Producers are encouraged to use selective insecticides for controlling pests if insecticides are required. This will conserve important predators like assassin bugs and many other beneficial species.

Technical Abstract: Many kinds of arthropod natural enemies (predators and parasitoids) inhabit crop fields in Arizona and can have a large negative impact on several pest insect species that also infest these crops. Assassin bugs are among the largest insect predators found in cotton and other field crops in Arizona and are considered “top” predators because they themselves have no natural enemies. These ambush predators feed mainly on larger insects pests such as caterpillars and plant bugs. They may also attach other predators in the system and this has been shown to disrupt the biological control of some pests such as aphids. This extension circular summarizes some of the biology and ecology of these predators and emphasizes the benefits they can provide in pest control. Producers are encouraged to use selective insecticides for controlling pests if insecticides are required. This will conserve important predators like assassin bugs and many other beneficial species.