Orius spp. (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) is well-known genus of generalist predators, which feed on numerous pest insects and mites infesting crops. In this study, the functional responses of the predatory bugs, Orius laevigatus (Fieber) and Orius vicinus (Ribaut), to different densities of the eggs of the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and red spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), were determined under laboratory conditions. Different numbers of eggs (2, 4, 6, 8, 16, 32, 64 and 128) of both species of prey were offered to females of the above predators for 24-h in a controlled environment of 25 ± 1?C, 60 ± 10% RH and under a 16L : 8D photoperiod. The parameters of the functional responses were assessed using Holling's Disc Equation. Both predators showed a Type II response to both prey. The attack rates (a) and handling times (Th) of the predators were computed for spider mites eggs: O. laevigatus (a: 0.972, Th: 0.007) and O. vicinus (a: 1.113, Th: 0.005), and whitefly eggs: O. laevigatus (a: 1.022, Th: 0.002) and O. vicinus (a: 0.772 Th: 0.006). Furthermore, the average number of B. tabaci eggs consumed by O. laevigatus females was greater than by those of O. vicinus. In contrast, O. vicinus was a more efficient predator of T. urticae eggs than O. laevigatus. Consequently, these results indicate that together these predators might be effective biological control agents in regulating populations of B. tabaci and T. urticae in agricultural ecosystems.

Chilo partellus Swinhoe 1885 (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is a serious pest of maize in many parts of the world. It was reported for the first time in 2014 in the Mediterranean part of Turkey. Degree-Day (DD) models were developed to predict seasonal dynamics in maize fields using 3-parameter 'Boltzman' and a 4-parameter Logistic regressions. Larval/plant counts were monitored in pesticide-free maize fields in Adana, Turkey from 2017 to 2019. Depending on the year, the first record of C. partellus was between 03-14 May, corresponding to -9-12 DD accumulated from 01 May. There were two main peaks; one in each of the maize growing seasons. The models accurately predicted the phenology of C. partellus with an Adj. R-2 greater than 0.80. The 'Boltzman' regression had lower AlCc, Delta AlCc and Wi values than the logistic regression. Based on the 'Boltzman' model, 50% of the accumulated larvae/plant count for the first and second generations (peaks) occurred at 80DD and 375DD, 81 DD and 413DD, and 54DD and 289DD in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. For the logistic regression model, 50% of the accumulated larvae/plant counts occurred for the first and second generation at 90DD and 362DD, 62DD, and 45DD and 250DD in 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively. Both these models could play a crucial role in the integrated pest management (IPM) of C. partellus in maize fields in Mediterranean regions.

Alphabaculovirus of Chrysodeixis chalcites (ChchNPV-TF1) has been investigated as a useful bioinsecticide against C. chalcites (Esper) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in banana crops. This study investigated the effects of several substances on the persistence of ChchNPV-TF1 under field conditions in the Canary Islands. Natural photoprotective substances, such as moringa, cacao, green tea, benzopurpurine, charcoal, iron dioxide, benzimidazole, kaolinite, and bentonite, were first evaluated under laboratory conditions using a Crosslinker as UV light source at 200 J/cm². The photoprotective substances were divided into three groups: low protection (0–8%; kaolinite), intermediate protection (48–62%; green tea, moringa, bentonite and cacao) and high protection (87–100%; charcoal, iron ioxide). Benzopurpurine and benzimidazole did not provide any photoprotective effects. Two of the substances that yielded the best results, 1% cacao and 1% charcoal, were selected for the open-field experiment in a banana plantation. The persistence of ChchNPV-TF1 OBs (occlusion bodies) on leaf surfaces with sunlight exposure was analysed by comparing the initial mortality of 2^nd instar C. chalcites larvae with the mortality observed at various intervals postapplication. The mortality rates decreased over time in all treatments and were always higher in the UV-protective substance-treated parcels. The 1% charcoal treatment exhibited the highest protection in both the laboratory and field experiments. No specific interference of UV-protective substances on the maximum photochemical efficiency of banana plants was observed under field conditions.