Development and prey consumption of Orius sauteri (Poppius) and O-minutus (L) (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) fed on Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

The prey consumption, development and mortality of Orius sauteri and O. minutus nymphs fed on Frankliniella occidentalis larvae were investigated under 25 degrees C and 16L-8D in the laboratory in order to evaluate the efficiency of the Orius spp. as predators against F. occidentalis. The mortalities of O. sauteri and O. minutus fed on F. occidentalis larvae during the nymphal stages were 51.7% and 72.9%, respectively. These were almost equivalent to those of O. sauteri fed on Thrips palmi larvae and O. insidiosus fed on Sericothrips variabilis adults. Mean sum total nymphal durations of both sexes of both Orius spp. were 14.1 to 14.7 days. These were a little longer than those of O. sauteri fed with T. palmi larvae. Individuals of both sexes of both Orius spp. killed more than 100 F. occidentalis larvae during nymphal development. These results indicate that both O. sauteri and O. minutus may be promising biological control agents for controlling F. occidentalis.