Nesidiocoris tenuis as an invasive pest in Finnish tomato crops: attemptto eradicate the bugs with nicotine-based programmes

Abstract: The effect of nicotine smoke treatment was tested against adult and nymphal stages ofNesidiocoris tenuis (Heteroptera: Miridae) in greenhouse conditions by exposing the bugs to thesmoke in mesh bags and counting mortality 15 hours post-treatment. Nicotine was highlyefficient against adult bugs, causing mortality of 91.4-97.7%. Nymphs were more resistant as ittook longer for them to die, and due to the low number of nymphs available and higher controlmortality than with adults the efficacy results were less conclusive for nymphs.