The compatibility of Atheta coriaria (Kraatz) with greenhouse floriculture IPM programs for fungus gnat control

Atheta coriaria (Kraatz) (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) is a biological control agent (BCA) for fungus gnats (FG) (Diptera: Sciaridae: Bradysia spp.) and other pests of greenhouse ornamentals. Costs of FG to the industry, prey preference of A. coriaria and its compatibility with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs for FG were investigated.; Direct costs of FG were ca. {dollar}2.8 million/year in Canada. A. coriaria preferred FG larvae over larvae and pupae of other pests, but showed no preference between pest eggs tested. FG eggs were not preferred over eggs of the intraguild predator Hypoaspis aculeifer (Canestrini). Hypoaspis spp. mites should be avoided with A. coriaria use, but the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev) proved compatible.; Bioassays revealed that the insecticides imidacloprid, bendiocarb and cyromazine should be avoided. The insect growth regulator diflubenzuron and the fungicide thiophanate methyl were non-toxic to A. coriaria, and could be used in an IPM program with this BCA.