For this reason, native species are preferable, and Dicyphus hesperus can fulfil this role in North America in the same way that Macrolophus caliginosus is used in vegetable crops in Europe.

[5] Research has shown that D. hesperus preys on the greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum), and the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae), both in the laboratory and in a glasshouse planted with tomatoes.

The mirid bug completed its development from egg to adult on either of the two food sources, but it grew faster and was larger at maturity when feeding on the whitefly.

It was effective at reducing the number of thrips but when the ratio of predator to prey was too high (>1:10), some damage was caused to the tomato fruits by D.

[7] Dicyphus hesperus feeds on the mullein Verbascum thapsus and to a lesser extent on the eggplant, and can be maintained on these plants in a greenhouse as a preventative measure.