MiriLiv (Dicyphus hesperus): Establishment Through Supplementary Feeding
Dicyphus hesperus is an effective predatory mirid for greenhouse tomato production, capable of suppressing key pests such as whiteflies, thrips, aphids, and Tuta absoluta. However, successful establishment requires careful management during the initial release phase.
Importance of Supplementary Feeding
At the time of release, pest densities are often insufficient to sustain Dicyphus populations. Supplementary feeding bridges this gap, providing essential nutrients that support adult survival, nymphal development, and early reproduction. This pre-establishment feeding period is critical for building population density before pest outbreaks occur.
Feeding Protocol
BugFeed provides the protein and nutrients required by both adults and nymphs. There are two practical approaches for application:
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Direct feeding on the crop – Apply BugFeed directly to tomato plants in release areas, then expand to crop-wide feeding as the population disperses.
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Feeding via banker plants – Incorporate BugFeed into banker plant systems to support Dicyphus populations in a more localized and sustained manner.
In both approaches, feeding should continue for 6–8 weeks post-release to establish a robust and reliable predator population.
Practical Outcome
By integrating BugFeed through either direct crop applications or banker plants, growers can establish a self-sustaining population of Dicyphus hesperus. This proactive feeding strategy strengthens biological control capacity and reduces reliance on chemical or curative interventions later in the crop cycle.