Screening of Predatory Natural Enemies of Lygus pratensis in Cotton Fields and Evaluation of Their Predatory Effects

Lygus pratensis is a major pest of cotton, causing serious damage to cotton production. This study designed species-specific PCR detection primers for L. pratensis, established a detection system to identify L. pratensis DNA in the intestinal contents of predatory natural enemies, and investigated the control potential of four species’ predatory natural enemies against L. pratensis. The results indicated that 826 predatory natural enemies were collected from cotton fields belonging to two classes, five orders, and twelve families. Among these, 9 species of insecta natural enemies accounted for 54.12% of the total number of predatory natural enemies collected, while 14 species of arachnida predatory natural enemies comprised 45.88%. Of the 806 natural enemies tested, 5.58% were found to be positive for L. pratensis, all of which were arachnid predators, specifically Ebrechtella tricuspidata, Xysticus ephippiatus, Hylyphantes graminicola, and Oxyopes sertatus. The predation response of these four spider species to the fourth to fifth instar nymphs and adults of L. pratensis adhered to the Holling II model. The theoretical predation (a′/Th), daily maximum predation rate (T/Th), and searching effect for the fourth to fifth instar nymphs and adults of L. pratensis of the four spider species were assessed. According to the results, the species can be ranked in terms of their predatory and searching efficiency as follows: O. sertatus > E. tricuspidata > X. ephippiatus > H. graminicola. Four species of spiders had the highest theoretical predation against L. pratensis nymphs, ranging from 23.71 to 60.86, and adults, ranging from 22.14 to 50.25. Therefore, these four spider species could be utilized for L. pratensis management. This study identified the main predatory natural enemies of L. pratensis and their pest control capabilities, providing a scientific basis for selecting and utilizing natural enemies in integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. This will help promote ecological and green pest control of L. pratensis in cotton-growing areas.