Role of host plants in the suitability and dispersal of an omnivorous predator Arma chinensis Fallou (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae: Asopinae) in a biological control context

Plant feeding by omnivorous predators may affect their development and survival rate, as well as their dispersal behavior after release in the target patch. In this study, we determined whether soybean or corn seedlings could be used as insectary plants to enhance the establishment of Arma chinensis and improve its suitability as a natural enemy of pest insects. We tested the development, nymphal survival rate, predation rate, number of eggs laid, and dispersal of A. chinensis on soybean, corn, and tobacco in laboratory and field experiments. Results showed that A. chinensis reared on soybean developed faster and had greater survival rates during the nymphal stage as compared to those reared on corn and tobacco. Adult A. chinensis fed least on Spodoptera litura larvae and laid the greatest number of eggs on soybean seedlings. Arma chinensis dispersed faster and spent less time in the greenhouse when provided with corn as a host, while the retention time of A. chinensis in the target field was extended when provided with soybean as a host. In addition, a more uniform distribution of A. chinesis on a higher proportion of plants was observed when soybean was provided as a host. These results indicate that soybean is a potential insectary plant that could be used during the early stages of A. chinensis release when prey is scarce or absent.