Spatiotemporal distribution of Macrolophus caliginosus in protected tomato crop (Heteroptera : Miridae) /Bonato, Olivier Deschamps, C. Hamdi, F. Ridray, G. Chadoeuf, J. Macrolophus caliginosus (Wagner 1951) Bemisia tabaci density dispersal distribution predation The characteristics of the generalist predator Macrolophus caliginosus made it the main actor in the biological control of Trialeurodes vaporariorum in protected tomato crops; but its action on Bemisia tabaci remains unclear. Because B tabaci does not belong to the natural host spectrum of M caliginosus, the feeding foraging behaviour of the predator is questioned when B tabaci is the only prey available. The movements of M caliginosus and its aggregation on B tabaci populations were studied in real conditions of production in two greenhouses equipped with insect-proof nets. Macrolophus caliginosus was first introduced on the crop. Five weeks later, 4 focus (per greenhouse) of B tabaci infestation were generated. In the absence of B tacaci, the M caliginosus population colonized the whole greenhouse and succeeded in maintaining equal larval density for two generations. The density of predator presents on plants infested by B tabaci was significantly higher than the one measured on the other plants. The presence of prey on plants infested with B tabaci probably decreased the intrinsic mortality of predator larvae and enhanced oviposition of adults thereby enhancing their fitness due to feeding. 2011 text https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010053705 fdi:010053705 Bonato Olivier, Deschamps C., Hamdi F., Ridray G., Chadoeuf J.. Spatiotemporal distribution of Macrolophus caliginosus in protected tomato crop (Heteroptera : Miridae). 2011, 33 (1-2), 91-102 EN