Dr Shovon Chandra Sarkar1, Natasha Zhou1, Dr Frances Hoyle1, Dr Stephen Paul Milroy1, Dr Wei Xu1

1Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Australia

Biography:

I am a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Murdoch University in Western Australia, where I also completed my PhD. Specializing in insect science, I have honed my expertise in bioassay and field research methodologies. My doctoral research focused on identifying and evaluating predators to control and manage the invasive Tomato potato psyllid pest in Australia. The outcomes of my research contribute to the development of sustainable, efficient, and environmentally friendly pest control strategies, supporting long-term agricultural sustainability.

Abstract:

The tomato potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli Šulc (Hemiptera: Triozidae) is a significant insect pest of Solanaceae. In early 2017, it was first detected in Perth, Western Australia. From the two years of field sampling, the predators collected represented a broad taxonomic range. The most abundant predator was green lacewing. Therefore, this study investigates the potential of the Australian native and commercially available green lacewing, Mallada signatus Schneider (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), as a biological control agent for B. cockerelli. The effect of feeding on B. cockerelli on the development rate and survival of M. signatus were evaluated. Further, a greenhouse cage study was conducted to determine the optimal density of M. signatus larvae needed to effectively control an established B. cockerelli population. The third instar larvae of M. signatus consumed over 75 B. cockerelli nymphs in 24 hours. Following the introduction of M. signatus larvae to caged tomato plants, eight M. signatus larvae per caged tomato plant decreased B. cockerelli population by 64 % at the end of the sampling. These results indicated M. signatus, particularly at the larval stage, are an effective biological control option for B. cockerelli, especially in greenhouse tomato cultivation. This research provides valuable insights for Australia's horticultural industry, offering an eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides.