Novel prey boosts the expansion of host-plant range in a native predatory bug

Anthocoris nemoralis (Fabricius) is a Palearctic predator associated with psyllids in their native region. We found it preying on the non-native psyllid Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore, on Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. Here, we demonstrate the predator acceptance of E. camaldulensis leaves as a substrate for oviposition. We further tested the ability of A. nemoralis to complete its life cycle on E. camaldulensis trees, while feeding on G. brimblecombei. For this purpose, we enclosed infested branches in bags with adult predators, during one-month trials. At the end of the trials we found eggs, nymphs and newly born adults of A. nemoralis, confirming that a complete life cycle had occurred. The psyllid population growth rate was lower in the bags with predators than in the control. These results point out: (1) the ability of A. nemoralis to feed and complete a life cycle on exotic novel prey; (2) the acceptance of an exotic host plant; and (3) A. nemoralis as a potential candidate for the biological control against invasive psyllid species.