EFFECTIVENESS OF ORIUS-LAEVIGATUS (HEM, ANTHOCORIDAE) FOR THE CONTROL OF FRANKLINIELLA-OCCIDENTALIS ON CUCUMBER AND PEPPER IN THE UK

Biological control of Western Flower Thrips was sought by the use of Orius laevigatus, an anthocorid bug indigenous to the UK. Rearing methods were successfully devised for this species and glasshouse trials on cucumbers and peppers were conducted It was not possible to obtain full establishment of O. laevigatus on a cucumber crop, but breeding populations established satisfactorily in the flowers of sweet peppers. On peppers, releases totalling one to two Orius per plant resulted in good thrips control over several months providing that initial thrips numbers were low. Early season supplementary lighting using tungsten bulbs to extend the photoperiod ensured good control of thrips on peppers in February and March by promoting Orius breeding on the crop.