Development and survival of Orius albidipennis and O-laevigatus (Het.: Anthocoridae) on various diets

The effect of various diets on nymphal development and survival of two predaceous anthocorid bugs, Orius albidipennis (Reuter) and O. laevigatus (Fieber) was investigated in the laboratory. Five different diets were Compared: eggs of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller; eggs of E. kuehniella plus mixed flower pollen; only mixed flower pollen; pollen from sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Mazurka) flowers; and sweet pepper plants. A high percentage of predators successfully completed nymphal development on those diets containing lepidopterous eggs. When fed on sweet pepper pollen, the survival percentages were 65% for O. laevigatus and 38% for O. albidipennis. No nymphs of either species completed the nymphal stage on mixed flower pollen or on sweet pepper plants. Development was significantly faster on diets containing eggs of E. kuehniella. Results are discussed in relation to the capability of the bugs to survive periods of prey scarcity and to the optimization of release strategies for these predators in the greenhouse.