Stink bug predator kills prey with salivary non-proteinaceous compounds

Podisus nigrispinus Dallas (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is a predator insect with potential applications in biological control because both nymphs and adults have been shown to prey on other insect pests by injection of toxic salivary gland contents. This study identified non-proteinaceous compounds with insecticidal activity from the saliva of P. nigrispinus in Anticarsia gemmatalis. In particular, the ether extract from P. nigrispinus saliva led to mortality in A. gemmatalis larvae, with a LC50 = 2.04 μL and LC90 = 3.27 μL. N,N-dimethylaniline and 1,2,5-trithiepane fractions were identified as non-proteinaceous extract components. N,N-dimethylaniline had a LC50 = 136.1 nL and LC90 = 413.8 nL, suggesting that it could be responsible for toxicity in P. nigrispinus saliva. [Display omitted] •Predatory stink bugs kill their prey before starting the extra-oral digestion.•The saliva of the predator has non-proteinaceous compounds that cause prey mortality.•N,N-dimethylaniline and 1,2,5-trithiepane are the saliva venom of the predator.