The brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens, BPH) is a major pest in Asian rice ecosystems, and biological control by natural enemies is a key component of integrated pest management. Zoophytophagous mirid bugs, including Tytthus chinensis (Hemiptera: Miridae), play an important role as predators of BPH eggs and nymphs in Thailand. However, little is known about the potential of insectary plants to support the performance of T. chinensis. In this study, we evaluated the effects of Tecoma stans nectar on the longevity and reproductive development of T. chinensis under laboratory conditions. Adult longevity was compared among four feeding treatments: dry cotton, wet cotton, BPH eggs, and T. stans flowers. In addition, ovariole development was assessed under five feeding regimes combining BPH eggs and/or T. stans flowers. Access to T. stans nectar significantly extended adult longevity compared with the no-food treatments, and no significant difference in longevity was detected between predators provided with T. stans nectar and those provided with BPH eggs. Females provided with BPH eggs showed clear ovariole development, whereas those provided with T. stans nectar alone showed limited ovariole development. These results suggest that T. stans nectar may serve as an alternative food resource that supports adult survival, while access to prey appears to play an important role in reproductive development under the conditions tested. These laboratory findings support further evaluation of T. stans as a potential insectary plant for rice agroecosystems.
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Singsanan et al. (2026) studied this question.
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