Search

Many studies have explored the potential of companion plants to manage pests through top–down or bottom–up effects in agricultural fields. Buckwheat is known as a good candidate for companion planting with various crops to enhance pest management, but rarely in soybeans.We investigated the impact of planting buckwheat as a new companion plant on the population dynamics of major soybean pests and their natural enemies in soybean fields in Andong, Republic of Korea. We recorded numbers of pests and natural enemies at 9–10‐day intervals from 20 soybean plants each in eight small experimental fields throughout the cropping season.Significant reduction in pests, such as Riptortus pedestris (F.) (Hemiptera: Alydidae) adults, and a significant increase in natural enemies, such as Orius species (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) and crab spiders (Araneae: Thomisidae), were observed in the buckwheat treatment plots. However, there were significant increases in other pests, such as leafminers and leafhoppers, in the buckwheat treatment plots. While we observed effects on R. pedestris adult density, we did not find significant effects on other developmental stages of this pest or its parasitoids.Although there were some concerns in the buckwheat treatment plots, the positive effects of buckwheat in soybean fields appear to outweigh the drawbacks. Buckwheat is likely a suitable companion plant for use in soybeans to manage pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of pathogens and other natural enemies to suppress pest populations is a key component of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. As biocontrol agents may interact synergistically, additively, or antagonistically, it is crucial to assess their interactions for effective pest management. In this study, we investigated the effect of three entomopathogenic fungus (EPF) species—Beauveria bassiana (Bals.‐Criv.) Vuill. CEP 091, Akanthomyces muscarius (Petch) Spatafora, Kepler & B. Shrestha CEP 182, and Cordyceps fumosorosea (Wize) Kepler, B. Shrestha & Spatafora CEP 315 (all Hypocreales)—on the survival, fecundity, and searching behavior of Orius insidiosus (Say) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae). All three EPF species were found to be pathogenic to O. insidiosus, resulting in a significant decrease in survival compared with the control group. Fecundity remained unaffected by the fungal treatments. No effect of EPF on searching behavior of the predator was found. In relation to the searching behavior, individuals of 2 days post‐infections remained in the food patch longer than individuals of 7 days post‐infections, regardless of treatment. These findings provide valuable insights into the compatibility of EPF and O. insidiosus as combined biocontrol agents for managing whiteflies, aphids, and thrips. Understanding the interactions between EPF and predatory insects is crucial for developing IPM strategies that maximize pest control efficacy. Further studies should explore the long‐term effects of EPF on O. insidiosus populations and their overall impact on pest management in agricultural systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatial and temporal distribution of food resources influences predatory insects' foraging and dispersal behavior. Orius insidiosus (Say) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) is a good biological control agent of western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), in the strawberry crop and consumes two‐spotted spider mite (TSSM), Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), and pollen as well. Augmentative biological control programs may fail if, following release, predators disperse from the crop. We studied the dispersal of O. insidiosus as a function of pollen availability, density of their main prey WFT, and the presence of the alternative prey TSSM, within and between strawberry plants. We found that O. insidiosus remained on the flowers during the 24 h of the assay. The dispersal of predators to a neighboring flower with thrips was approximately six times greater from a flower without pollen than from a flower with pollen. When TSSM was the only prey available, O. insidiosus colonized the leaves, and its dispersal within the plant was greater. At the plot scale, the predator dispersal from the release plant to other plants also depended on the presence of flowering plants and prey. Our results highlight the importance of flowering plants and pollen availability in enhancing the persistence of O. insidiosus in strawberry plants. Releases of this predator in the strawberry crop should be after the beginning of flowering, even at low WFT densities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Omnivores obtain resources from more than one trophic level, choosing food based on quantity and quality. They usually engage in intraguild predation (IGP) when prey is scarce. Orius laevigatus is an example of omnivore that becomes superior predator of the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii when released in a combined system under low levels of the preferred prey, the thrips Frankliniella occidentalis. Here, we test two genetically enhanced O. laevigatus strains for bigger size and better fitness feeding on pollen (BIG30 and 2POL-11, respectively), hence with a wider dietary diversification, to elucidate the potential effects on prey preference and IGP on the predatory mite, in comparison with a commercial population of O. laevigatus. To do that, predation rates were registered on adult phytoseiids solely or in a choice situation at different availability ratios of adult thrips under laboratory conditions. The effect of pollen as supplemental food on IGP and prey preference was examined, too. We found that our two enhanced lines killed up to 9% less predatory mites and fed preferably on adult thrips, compared to the commercial population. While BIG30 showed a significantly higher total predation rate, killing up to 150% more adult thrips, 2POL-11 is defined as an efficient user of resources, switching between different prey and pollen showing low IGP. Pollen supplementation had a significant effect on reducing IGP, but only for 2POL-11 the influence on prey preference was significant. The theory of intraguild predation and the impact of prey switching on food webs and biological control strategies are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out in the maize cultivation areas of Aksaray, Kırşehir, Konya, Karaman, Nevşehir, Niğde, Kayseri, Kırıkkale, Ankara, Eskişehir, Sivas, Yozgat and Çankırı provinces in the Central Anatolia Region between 2017 and 2022. Surveys were carried out in three different phenological periods of maize, according to the simple random sampling method. In each location where the research was conducted, plants on 2-meter rows at 5 points were examined using visual inspection and traps in the first two periods, and using visual inspection and a Japanese umbrella in the 3rd period. Results showed that 36 species, belonging to 25 genera from 10 families (Alydidae, Anthocoridae, Berytidae, Geocoridae, Lygaeidae, Miridae, Nabidae, Pentatomidae, Rhopalidae, Tingidae) were recorded. Among them, Leucodellus zagdani (Putshkov, 1970) was the second record in Türkiye, and the first record for maize. Kalama trimaizeis (Schrank, 1801) was reported for the third time in the fauna of Türkiye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

La especie Orius flaviceps (Poppius, 1909) es un antocórido poco conocido que ha sido registrado de México, Islas Caimán y la isla Guadalupe. Los aspectos de su biología, ecología e historia natural son prácticamente desconocidos. En este trabajo se registra esta especie por primera vez para República Dominicana, donde se encuentra ampliamente distribuida por todo el país y ha sido observada depredando trips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) en flores de aguacate (Persea americana Mill.) en cuyos peciolos coloca sus huevos. Se incluye información sobre aspectos biológicos, proporción sexual, distribución en el país, así como fotografías de ambos sexos y una diagnosis de la especie. Con este registro se aumenta a tres, el número de especies de Anthocoridae conocidas de La Española.

As a result of surveys carried out in agricultural and non-agricultural lands in Samsun province and its 17 districts, 12 species belonging to the Heteroptera suborder were found. 7 of them are predators, and 5 are harmful species. Species found; Deraeocoris serenus, Geocoris megacephalus, Liorhyssus hyalinus, Lygus pratensis, Macrolophus costalis, Macrolophus melanotoma, Macrolophus pygmaeus, Nabis ferus, Orius niger, Oxycarenus hyalinipennis, Rhopalus parumpunctatus, Stictopleurus abutilon. 5 of them are from the Miridae family, 3 from the Rhophalidae family, 2 from the Lygaeidae family, 1 from the Nabidae and 1 from the Anthocoridae family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macrohomotoma gladiata (Kuwayama) (Hemiptera: Homotomidae) has been recently recorded in the Mediterranean Basin causing serious damage on the widely cultivated ornamental tree Ficus microcarpa L.f. The population structure and seasonal fluctuation of M. gladiata were studied on F. microcarpa in Athens, Greece, from February 2019 to February 2020. In the samples, the presence of its natural enemies was recorded too. Eggs were recorded in May, August and from October to early January; the first two nymphal instars were recorded throughout the year but not in August and September whereas their densities reduced in early May; the middle-aged and the late instars nymphs were recorded in March and April and then appeared again in June and July. Based on our results 1) during winter, only young nymphs of M. gladiata were present; 2) under autumn and winter conditions, young nymphs do not develop further; and 3) most likely M. gladiata has a bivoltine life cycle or may complete a partial third generation in autumn. Parasitized M. gladiata nymphs by a Psyllaephagus Ashmead species were recorded from April to August, with the parasitism rate reaching to 81%. The predator Anthocoris nemoralis (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) was present in low numbers in spring. This work revealed useful information for the phenology and rational management of this pest and the potential of its natural enemies in its control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) is one of the most devastating pests of tomato throughout the world and there is need to explore more ecofriendly options for its management. Consequently, the predatory potential of the bug, Blaptostethus pallescens Popp against T. absoluta and the intragulid predation on Trichogramma achaeae Nagaraja and Nagarkatti were studied. The predatory bug predated on the eggs and the first two larval stages of T. absoluta. During the nymphal stages, males and females of the predatory bug consumed almost same number of preys which varied with the prey stage, but the adult females were more voracious than males. During the lifetime, the females and males consumed an average of 756.2 and 400.2 prey eggs, 420.2 and 253.1 first instars and 73 and 71.4 s instar prey larvae, respectively. The pest-kill parameters like net kill rate (ko), true pest-kill rate (km), finite rate of pest kill (λ') and weekly kill rate (WK) of the predator were also higher on prey eggs than on larvae. Blaptostethus pallescens was also able to distinguish between Trichogramma achaeae-parasitized and unparasitized eggs of T. absoluta and Corcyra cephalonica both in choice and no-choice tests, and consumed selectively the unparasitised prey eggs. Manly's index of preference in each case was more than 0.9, confirming a strong preference for unparasitized prey eggs. These results indicate that the predatory bug is a potential biocontrol agent of T. absoluta and can be used compatibly with Trichogramma achaeae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effectiveness of field releases of nymphs of Anthocoris nemoralis (F.) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) in controlling the olive psyllid, Euphyllura olivina Costa (Hemiptera: Psyllidae). Field trials were conducted in two successive years (2014 and 2015) in two organic olive orchards located in the region of Sfax (Tunisia) using two treatments: low (release of 10 A. nemoralis nymphs/tree) and high (release of 40 A. nemoralis nymphs/tree) applied two times, the first on March 3 and second on March 17. In both olive orchards, the high treatment was the most effective in controlling the increase of E. olivina in the spring. The A. nemoralis population grew gradually and reached a single peak towards the end of April. In control and low treatment plots, despite the significant increase in predator populations, psylla abundance was not controlled. After the second release, however, in high treatment plots a reduction in psyllid density was recorded. An expected effect of the A. nemoralis releases was a reduced parasitic activity of Psyllaephagus euphyllurae (Masi) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae).

The predatory bug, Orius laevigatus (Fieber, 1860) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), is an important biological control agent and widely used for augmentative biological control of the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande, 1895 (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in greenhouse crops. This bug is generally reared using the Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller, 1879 (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). The aim of this study was to determine the effects of E. kuehniella eggs produced by adult moths reared on different larval diets on the performance of O. laevigatus. The diets were 95% cornmeal + 5% yeast (CY diet), 53.3% cornmeal + 26.7% wheat bran + 15% Glycerine + 5% yeast (CBGY diet) and 53.3% wheat flour + 26.7% wheat bran + 15% Glycerine + 5% yeast (WBGY diet). Laboratory studies started with newly emerged nymphs of O. laevigatus kept in a climate chamber at 27°C, 60% relative humidity and a 14L :10D photoperiod. Eggs of E. kuheniella adults that were fed on one of the three different larval diets were provided to the nymphs as a source of food and bean pods of water. Following adult emergence, all individuals were sexed, and female and male pairs were put in plastic containers (30 cc) with eggs of E. kuehniella and bean pods. Nymphal development time, fecundity and longevity of O. laevigatus were not differently affected by feeding on the eggs of E. kuehniella reared on the three diets. In addition, the daily and total egg consumption of adults of O. laevigatus were similar. Because the CY diet eggs contain more nutrients, their consumption by nymphs was lower. This study indicates that the CY diet is an adequate diet for rearing E. kuehniella for producing eggs for rearing O. laevigatus.

Cryptocephalus Geoffroy, 1762 es reconocido por su distribución cosmopolita y gran riqueza, con al menos 1700 especies descritas. Sin embargo, falta información para Brasil: (1) no hay registro de inmaduros; y (2) no se conoce casi nada sobre la biología de este género. En este trabajo se documentan por primera vez las etapas inmaduras de Cryptocephalus de Brasil y se presentan algunas notas sobre su bioecología en la planta huésped. Además, se recopilan sus registros en territorio brasileño a partir de la bibliografía.

Copyright of Journal of Plant Protection & Pathology is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Orius spp. (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) is well-known genus of generalist predators, which feed on numerous pest insects and mites infesting crops. In this study, the functional responses of the predatory bugs, Orius laevigatus (Fieber) and Orius vicinus (Ribaut), to different densities of the eggs of the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and red spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), were determined under laboratory conditions. Different numbers of eggs (2, 4, 6, 8, 16, 32, 64 and 128) of both species of prey were offered to females of the above predators for 24-h in a controlled environment of 25 ± 1°C, 60 ± 10% RH and under a 16L : 8D photoperiod. The parameters of the functional responses were assessed using Holling's Disc Equation. Both predators showed a Type II response to both prey. The attack rates (a) and handling times (Th) of the predators were computed for spider mites eggs: O. laevigatus (a: 0.972, Th: 0.007) and O. vicinus (a: 1.113, Th: 0.005), and whitefly eggs: O. laevigatus (a: 1.022, Th: 0.002) and O. vicinus (a: 0.772 Th: 0.006). Furthermore, the average number of B. tabaci eggs consumed by O. laevigatus females was greater than by those of O. vicinus. In contrast, O. vicinus was a more efficient predator of T. urticae eggs than O. laevigatus. Consequently, these results indicate that together these predators might be effective biological control agents in regulating populations of B. tabaci and T. urticae in agricultural ecosystems.

To determine the duration of winter conditions necessary to achieve successful termination of diapause in Orius sauteri (Poppius) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), nymphs were subjected to a L12:D12 photoperiod at 18 °C and emerged females were maintained under the same conditions for 15, 30, 45, or 60 days. After the respective period, the females were subjected to a photoperiod of L16:D8 at 25 °C, and four parameters were evaluated: pre‐oviposition period, oviposition period, total number of eggs laid per female, and longevity. In females of all four groups of different rearing durations at 18 °C, oviposition commenced within 2 weeks. There was a strong correlation between the pre‐oviposition period and the duration of rearing at 18 °C, with the pre‐oviposition period of females reared for 60 days being 4.5 ± 0.7 days, which was equivalent to that of non‐diapause females. Although the pre‐oviposition period of females reared for a 30‐day period was approximately 10 days, these females laid the highest total number of eggs among the four treatment groups. Longevity was found to be negatively correlated with the length of rearing duration at 18 °C, whereas neither oviposition period nor total number of eggs per female was significantly correlated with the rearing duration. We subsequently subjected females collected in the field in late October to the same rearing conditions at 18 °C for 30, 45, 60, or 90 days, and accordingly found that the pre‐oviposition period of field‐captured females was longer than that of the laboratory‐bred females. However, the highest total number of eggs laid by field‐captured females was observed in those subjected to a 30‐day rearing period. Based on these observations, we can conclude that a period of 30 days under conditions of 18 °C is sufficient to induce diapause termination without reducing fecundity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Augmentative biological control has experienced a remarkable success, particularly in protected crops. Yet integrated pest management (IPM) still requires corrective treatments to manage some pests, which may result in detrimental effects on biological control agents (BCAs). Hence, the choice of selective pesticides is crucial for an effective pest management. A complementary approach is the genetic improvement of BCAs resistant to some key pesticides, allowing their joint use in IPM. The predator Orius laevigatus (Fieber) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) is widely introduced in protected crops to supress thrips and other small pests. Spinosad is a naturally derived biopesticide and a key compound in both conventional and organic crops. However, spinosad has been reported as slightly to moderately harmful to O. laevigatus. Here we explored and exploited the intra-specific variation in spinosad susceptibility in wild and commercial populations of O. laevigatus to select a spinosad-resistant strain. We found a 48.8-fold variation in susceptibility to spinosad among 35 populations, obtaining a lethal concentration (LC50) of 166.3 mg l−1 for the baseline. A spinosad-resistant strain (SPI38) was successfully obtained (LC50 = 2110.0 mg l−1). The resistance was stable for ten generations without selection pressure and was expressed in all life stages, particularly from the 3rd nymphal instar to adult. SPI38 showed cross-resistance to spinetoram and inhibitors of the detoxification enzymes were not able to restore susceptibility, which suggest a target-site resistance mechanism. The resistance achieved may be sufficient to allow survival of adults and nymphs of O. laevigatus exposed to field applications of spinosad across the cropping season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors report the first records of the generalist predator Orius (Dimorphella) maxidentex Ghauri, 1972 (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) from different cropping systems in Senegal (West Africa) and propose fast and accurate identification based on morphological traits and molecular analyses. Orius maxidentex is a frequent and abundant predatory bug in Senegalese agro-systems, especially, millet, maize and tomato fields. It is likely to play an important role in regulating the populations of several pests, and its potential involvement in natural pest control in these cropping systems is discussed [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to enhance the ecofriendly management of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), we studied the demographics and functional response of Blaptostethus pallescens Poppius on T. absoluta under laboratory conditions. B. pallescens completed its development on the eggs and the first two larval instar of T. absoluta, however the demographic parameters were higher on the prey eggs than on larvae. The predatory bug exhibited a type II functional response to the target prey and the demographic parameters were higher on prey eggs than on larvae. The attack rate increased and the handling time decreased with the advancement of the predator as well as the prey stage. The attack rate was the highest and handling time the lowest for the adult females on the prey eggs. Based on the results of the study, B. pallescens seems to be a promising biocontrol agent of T. absoluta, nevertheless, under field conditions, many biotic and abiotic factors can influence its performance. Hence a proper field evaluation is required before giving the final recommendation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficiency, functional and numerical responses of anthocorid bug Blaptostethus pallescens Poppius on the spider mite, Tetranychus truncatus Ehara were examined under laboratory conditions. Nymphs of B. pallescens exhibited a Hollings type II functional response when females of spider mite were offered at densities of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 mites/bug. Individual fifth instar bugs consumed up to 45.3 adult females of T. truncatus in 24 h at prey mite densities of 60 mites/bug. Studies on numerical response revealed that the nymphs of the anthocorid bug failed to complete development when the food was restricted to mite alone. Numerical response studies on adult bugs, when offered T. truncatus at densities of 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 females showed no significant differences in the average fecundity of the female bug. Results indicate that the anthocorid predator, B. pallescens has a very high predatory potential though with a weak numerical response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Japanese Anthocorini are reviewed. A total of five genera and 13 species were identified, including two new species described below: Temnostethus mirificus sp. nov. and Anthocoris venustus sp. nov. Previous records of Anthocoris miyamotoi Hiura, 1959 from Japan are considered to be confused with A. venustus sp. nov. Anthocoris nemoralis (Fabricius, 1794), which is a common and widespread species in Europe, is recorded in Japan for the first time; it is assumed to have been accidentally introduced into Japan recently. Temnostethus distans Kerzhner, 1973 and Anthocoris kalopanacis Kerzhner, 1977 are newly recorded in Japan proper. Male and female genitalia are illustrated and described for most of the treated species. Identification keys to the genera and species that occur in Japan are provided. Bionomics are provided for each species. Detailed locality information and distribution maps in Japan are presented for all Japanese species and their zoogeography is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), is one of the most important thysanopteran pests belonging to the family Thripidae. This species is a cosmopolitan and serious insect pest of greenhouse and field crops worldwide. Orius laevigatus (Fiber) (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) is an important zoophytophagous insect that attacks a wide variety of insect pests and is commercially available as a biological control agent of F. occidentalis. However, the biological control success by this predator strongly depends on the morphological characteristics and nutritional quality of the host plant. In the present study, the suitability of green bean, marigold, and strawberry as banker plants for O. laevigatus were evaluated in the laboratory condition (25 ± 1 °C, a relative humidity of 70 ± 5% with a 16-h day). The shortest and longest developmental time of whole nymphal periods of O. laevigatus was on the green bean (10.6 days) and marigold (13.2 days) plants, respectively. The highest fecundity of O. lavigatus was on the green bean (113.0 eggs) and the lowest on the marigold (38.4 eggs). The highest net reproductive rate (R0: 47.3 female/female), intrinsic rate of increase (rm: 0.10 female/female/day), finite rate of increase (λ: 1.16 female/female/day), and generation time (T: 24.1 days) were obtained on the green bean. Based on our results, the green bean can be a good candidate as a banker plant for O. laevigatus in integrated pest management programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

سفیدبالک پنبه(Gennadius) Bemisia tabaci یکی از آفات مهم محصولات زراعی، جالیزی و زینتی می‌باشد. زنبورهای پارازیتوئید Eretmocerus mundus Mercet و Rose and ZolnerowichEretmocerus eremics و همچنین سن شکارگر (Rueter)Orius albidipennis از جمله دشمنان طبیعی می‌باشند که به عنوان عوامل کنترل زیستی برای مهار سفیدبالک پنبه مورد استفاده قرار گرفته و نقش مهمی در کاهش استفاده از سموم شیمیایی داشته‌اند. در این بررسی، آزمایش‌هایی توسط دستگاه بویایی سنجی برای تعیین تأثیر رایحه تولید شده از برگ خیار آلوده به سفیدبالک پنبه در جلب دشمنان طبیعی انجام گرفت. همچنین تاثیر حضور یک دشمن طبیعی در لکه میزبان، بر جلب یا دفع دشمن طبیعی دیگر مورد بررسی قرار گرفت. نتایج بدست آمده از آزمونبویایی‌سنجی نشان داد که برگ‌های خیار آلوده به پوره‌های سفید بالک، هر سه گونه دشمن طبیعی شامل سن O. albidipennis و زنبورهای پارازیتوئید E. mundus و E. eremics را بیشتر از برگ‌های سالم به سمت خود جلب نمودند. نتایج تأثیر حضور زنبور هایپارازیتوئید بر انتخاب و ترجیح سن شکارگر O. albidipennis نشان داد که این سن از برگ‌هایی که زنبورهای پارازیتوئید روی آن‌ها حضور دارند دوری نمود، اگرچه حضور سن شکارگر O. albidipennis روی برگ‌ها به عنوان رقیب، اختلالی در جذب این دو گونه زنبور به برگ‌های آلوده ایجاد نکرد.

Anthocorid bugs presents attributes that make them promising agents of biological control. Several species can be reared in the laboratory for later release in the field and in greenhouses, and some of them also exhibit zoo-phytophagous feeding behavior, which favors maintenance in the environment, as occurs with Xylocoris afer (Reuter, 1884) and Xylocoris sordidus (Reuter, 1871). This work aimed to describe a method that optimize the rearing and multiplication in laboratory of Xylocoris spp. and their alternative prey Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton, 1866). The method was adapted replacing inflorescences of Bidens pilosa L., by rolls of hydrophilic cotton inserted in glass jars of 25,0 mL filled with water to maintain the humidity, which is essential to the embryonic development of the insect. The adaptations made to the rearing methods of these predators and the alternative prey have made the breeding of mainly predators more practical and effective.

This study investigated the effectiveness of field releases of nymphs of Anthocoris nemoralis (F.) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) in controlling the olive psyllid, Euphyllura olivina Costa (Hemiptera: Psyllidae). Field trials were conducted in two successive years (2014 and 2015) in two organic olive orchards located in the region of Sfax (Tunisia) using two treatments: low (release of 10 A. nemoralis nymphs/tree) and high (release of 40 A. nemoralis nymphs/tree) applied two times, the first on March 3 and second on March 17. In both olive orchards, the high treatment was the most effective in controlling the increase of E. olivina in the spring. The A. nemoralis population grew gradually and reached a single peak towards the end of April. In control and low treatment plots, despite the significant increase in predator populations, psylla abundance was not controlled. After the second release, however, in high treatment plots a reduction in psyllid density was recorded. An expected effect of the A. nemoralis releases was a reduced parasitic activity of Psyllaephagus euphyllurae (Masi) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The predatory bug, Orius laevigatus (Fieber, 1860) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), is an important biological control agent and widely used for augmentative biological control of the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande, 1895 (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in greenhouse crops. This bug is generally reared using the Mediterranean fl our moth, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller, 1879 (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). The aim of this study was to determine the effects of E. kuehniella eggs produced by adult moths reared on different larval diets on the performance of O. laevigatus. The diets were 95% cornmeal + 5% yeast (CY diet), 53.3% cornmeal + 26.7% wheat bran + 15% Glycerine + 5% yeast (CBGY diet) and 53.3% wheat fl our + 26.7% wheat bran + 15% Glycerine + 5% yeast (WBGY diet). Laboratory studies started with newly emerged nymphs of O. laevigatus kept in a climate chamber at 27°C, 60% relative humidity and a 14L :10D photoperiod. Eggs of E. kuheniella adults that were fed on one of the three different larval diets were provided to the nymphs as a source of food and bean pods of water. Following adult emergence, all individuals were sexed, and female and male pairs were put in plastic containers (30 cc) with eggs of E. kuehniella and bean pods. Nymphal development time, fecundity and longevity of O. laevigatus were not differently affected by feeding on the eggs of E. kuehniella reared on the three diets. In addition, the daily and total egg consumption of adults of O. laevigatus were similar. Because the CY diet eggs contain more nutrients, their consumption by nymphs was lower. This study indicates that the CY diet is an adequate diet for rearing E. kuehniella for producing eggs for rearing O. laevigatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laboratory experiments were performed to test Orius majusculus and Orius laevigatus suitability for potato protection. The adult bugs released on potato plants infested with Myzus persicae can normally survive, mature, and reproduce. In the absence of prey, the bugs can survive for about a week. And though addition of flower pollen increased survival, insect fecundity remained low. Only feeding by Sitotroga cerealella eggs added to potato plants provided for sustainable fecundity of Orius females laying up to 200 eggs during the lifetime. Thus, O. majusculus can be applied for biological control of aphids on seed potatoes in greenhouses and the grain moth eggs can be used as an additional food for the bugs.

Beneficial insects, such as natural enemies, are important to agro‐ecosystem functioning and thus agricultural production. Parasitoids and predators can provide sustainable long‐term solutions to pest problems (biological control), reducing the need for expensive and sometimes polluting pesticide applications. When several species of beneficial insects are present, their pest control actions may be additive, synergistic, or disruptive. One form of disruptive interaction between parasitoids and predators is direct interspecific contest for access to individual pests (the resource to be exploited). This study evaluated behavioural interactions between brood‐guarding wasps, Goniozus nephantidis (Muesebeck) (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae), which are known to engage in intra‐specific contests, and a predatory bug, Cardiastethus exiguus (Poppius) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), which attack the same pest species, Opisina arenosella (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae), a major pest in coconut production systems. Dyadic parasitoid–predator and predator–predator contests were staged to determine the factors that influence the behaviours within, and outcomes of, such interactions. Parasitoids were aggressive towards predators, sometimes killing them, but predators were not aggressive towards parasitoids. Biting and stinging only occurred when there was a host larva present. In the absence of the parasitoid that had oviposited onto a host, predators often consumed the parasitoid's eggs. Egg consumption sometimes occurred when the parasitoid was present. Intra‐specific competition between pairs of predators was also evaluated: adults were aggressive towards each other, but interactions were not fatal. Biting was more common when there was no prey larva present. When a larva was present, predators were observed feeding simultaneously. We conclude that direct parasitoid–predator interactions are likely to influence pest population dynamics, possibly reducing the overall suppression of O. arenosella by its natural enemies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laboratory experiments conducted to study the biosafety of insecticides, acaricides and entomopathogens viz. imidacloprid, chlorpyriphos, fenazaquin, spiromesifen, azadirachtin, Beauveria bassiana and Lecanicillium lecanii in different concentrations to Blaptostethus pallescens, revealed that imidacloprid and chlorpyriphos were highly toxic with maximum mortality. The acaricides fenazaquin and spiromesifen were less toxic which recorded minimum mortality of predator and more egg laying and hatching. Azadirachtin showed higher oviposition and was on par with spiromesifen. Azadirachtin and acaricides are compatible with B. pallescens than entomopathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The minute pirate bugs (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) are effective biological control agents against destructive agricultural pests such as the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in agroecosystems around the world. One species, Orius insidiosus (Say), has proven effective in controlling thrips populations in fields and greenhouses, and serves as an integral component of many integrated pest management (IPM) programs. Three experiments were conducted using motion‐tracking software and dual‐choice Y‐tube bioassays to determine whether direct thrips contact and thrips cues contact induced arrestant and attractant behaviors. The experiments revealed that O. insidiosus adults exhibited behavioral changes indicative of switching from extensive to intensive foraging after direct exposure to thrips prey. Similar arresting behavior was induced by the presence of thrips tracks alone. In Y‐tube bioassays O. insidiosus showed preference towards arms containing tracks from western flower thrips larvae vs. clean arms, but only when direct contact with the tracks was made in the stem. Our data indicate that thrips deposit non‐volatile semiochemicals that are used by O. insidiosus during foraging. These compounds have the potential to aid in O. insidiosus behavior manipulation which may help in early control of thrips populations in fields and greenhouses. Further research is necessary to determine the chemical composition of these cues and how to effectively and pragmatically integrate the inducing stimuli into biocontrol programs as part of IPM strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The commercial production of Orius spp. (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), including Orius majusculus (Reuter), relies on the use of eggs of Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) as rearing diet. However, E. kuehniella eggs have become an expensive fodder thus increasing the price of these key biological control agents. The use of artificial diets potentially decreases the production costs. In this regard, establishing a link between dietary composition and fitness could advance the development of an optimum alternative artificial diet for these predatory insects. The aim of the current study was to test the effect of six artificial diets with different macronutrient composition on the development and reproductive fitness of O. majusculus when compared with the effect of E. kuehniella eggs. In general, nymphal survival was not affected by diet, whereas development was slightly delayed on artificial diets. However, female body mass and fecundity were significantly lower on all of the artificial diets compared with the E. kuehniella eggs diet, suggesting that artificial diets were of inferior quality. Within artificial diets, females fed the viable diet with highest content in lipid laid more eggs than those raised on the most protein‐rich diets. We found there was some variation in carcass composition between the O. majusculus fed the various diets, but these variations did not match the differences found in the fitness parameters measured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is a serious pests of peach trees. It has traditionally been managed with insecticides, but social concerns on insecticides use claim for alternative control strategies. Aphids are attacked by many natural enemies, so the use of conservation biological control could be feasible. However, the existence of a wide array of natural enemies increases the chances of intraguild predation and can also trigger behavioral changes in aphids. To evaluate interactions among predators and parasitoids of M. persicae, we conducted laboratory experiments to determine the contribution of three predators, Episyrphus balteatus DeGeer (Diptera: Syrphidae), Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Rondani) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), and Orius majusculus (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), to the control of M. persicae. In addition, we examined changes in aphid behavior due to cornicle exudate and the interaction of the aforementioned predators with the parasitoid Aphidius matricariae (Haliday) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Our results showed that the most voracious predator was E. balteatus followed by A. aphidimyza. At 72 hours, the aphid population had tripled in the arenas where cornicle exudate was present compared to those where it was absent. In a confined environment, the presence of a single individual of A. aphidimyza and O. majusculus in conjunction with the parasitoid increased the aphid population instead of reducing it. However, the fact that all predators avoided feeding on mummified aphids and that A. aphidimyza and O. majusculus preferred to feed on unparasitized aphids highlight the possibility that parasitoids and predators can jointly contribute to aphid control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of intraguild predation between Orius albidipennis Reuter and two parasitoids, Eretmocerus mundus Mercet or Eretmocerus eremicus Rose and Zolnerowich, on the suppression of Bemisia tabaci Gennadius was investigated under laboratory conditions. Through a non-choice test, the 2nd and 3rd instar nymphs of B. tabaci and larval and pupal stages of both parasitoids were offered separately to both 5th instar nymphs and adults of O. albidipennis. In the choice test, various combinations of parasitized and unparasitized preys were provided for two stages of O. albidipennis, and their preference was recorded. Both predator stages readily preyed upon unparasitized and parasitized nymphs of B. tabaci. The most predation of O. albidipennis adults occurred on E. eremicus larvae, while for the 5th instar nymphs, it was recorded on E. eremicus larvae and pupae. The least predation of both stages was recorded on unparasitized nymphs of B. tabaci and E. mundus pupae. None of the prey combinations showed any obvious preference of adults and the 5th instars of O. albidipennis toward parasitized or unparasitized prey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biology of anthocorid predator Blaptostethus pallescens Poppius was studied on eggs of alternate host Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton). Eggs of B. pallescens, thrust within the plant tissue, hatched after a mean incubation period of 5.78 days. Nymphs, when reared on UV sterilized eggs of C. cephalonica under ambient conditions, developed normally with five instars, each having a mean duration of 2.63, 1.92, 2.01, 2.50 and 5.10 days, respectively. Females laid eggs after a pre-oviposition period of 4.2 days. Average fecundity of bugs was 134.04 eggs. Mean longevity of females was found to be higher (52.03 days) than that of males (40.18 days). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xylocoris species (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) are known to occur in various habitats and attack a diversity of agriculturally important prey. Other groups of organisms, such as strains of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) bacteria, also have been extensively studied and applied as biological control agents. The use of these Bt‐bioinsecticides in association with predators may be a good strategy in integrated pest management. This work had the objective to study predator behaviour, predatory capacity, and functional response of fifth‐instar nymphs of Xylocoris sordidus (Reuter) to eggs of Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) and Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) treated with one of three commercial Bt‐bioinsecticides. The predator presented a type II functional response to untreated P. xylostella eggs (control) and to eggs treated with Agree, whereas the response was type III to P. xylostella eggs treated with Xentari and Dipel. However, on a diet of C. cephalonica eggs the predator displayed a type II response curve on eggs treated with each of the three bioinsecticides, and a type III response on untreated eggs. Bioinsecticides based on B. thuringiensis may be used in association with X. sordidus predators to control lepidopterous pest species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the food quality of the aphid Rhopalosiphum padi to the pirate bug Orius majusculus using Ephestia eggs as high‐quality comparison prey. Several performance parameters were tested on individuals that had been reared and maintained on each of the two single‐prey diets or on a mixed diet. All fitness parameters were lower in individuals fed aphids only, indicating poor food quality of this prey. Compared with the pure Ephestia egg diet, the mixed diet enhanced teneral mass, while adult survival and female starvation tolerance were negatively affected and all other traits were unaffected. Body protein proportions were constant across diets, whereas lipid proportion was low in the aphid treatment. Preference for aphids was lower following a monotypic aphid diet than when reared on Ephestia eggs or a mixed diet. The results confirm that R. padi is low‐quality food for O. majusculus as it is for other generalist predators, even though O. majusculus may contribute significantly to population suppression of the aphid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The management practices in agroecosystems can alter the community structure of pests' natural enemies, which can consequently disturb their biocontrol function. Here, we investigated how organic or conventional farming influence the community structure of arthropod predators (spiders, coccinelids, anthocorids, ants) in orchards. The three conventional orchards studied were plum tree monocultures where mainly fungicides were applied. The three organic orchards studied were dominated by plum trees with admixture of apple trees and no agrochemical was applied. We found that management significantly affected only spiders that were less abundant in the conventional orchards than in the organic orchards. In addition, the conventional management resulted in reduced species density and altered the community composition of spiders. The conventional management reduced the functional dispersion of spider body size, which may narrow the size-spectrum of pests that could be reduced by spiders. The conventional management also reduced abundances of foliage hunters and space-web spiders. Since these spiders are effective against various insect pests, the conventional management of applying fungicides might result in increased crop damage via increased insect pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple herbivory by arthropods with distinct feeding modes often reduces the attractiveness of herbivore-induced plant volatiles to the third trophic level, while herbivory by two species with the same feeding mode yields variable effects. So far, only few studies have examined multiple herbivory with two cell-content feeders. Here, we addressed the effect of multiple herbivory in rose plants by two cell-content feeders, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) and Frankliniella insularis (Franklin) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), on the olfactory preference of the minute pirate bug Orius insidiosus (Say) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), a generalist predator, to herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs). Additionally, we investigated whether the predator's olfactory preference for HIPVs emitted by rose plants is associated with its feeding preference and prey quality. Y-tube olfactometer assays revealed that O. insidiosus was equally attracted to volatiles emitted by mite- or thrips-infested roses. Although HIPV blends from single-infested and multiple-infested rose plants differed in qualitative and quantitative terms, the minute pirate bug did not discriminate the odors of thrips- or mite-infested plants from multiple-infested plants. Congruent to the olfactory preference toward HIPVs, O. insidiosus did not show preference for either prey species, but consumed larger numbers of spider mites than thrips to complete its development. Therefore, our results showed that multiple herbivory by two cell-content feeders do not change the attractiveness of HIPV emissions compared to those of single-infested rose plants, and that lack of preference of the minute pirate bug to HIPV emissions induced by either spider mites or thrips favors the location of suitable prey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orius spp. (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) is well-known genus of generalist predators, which feed on numerous pest insects and mites infesting crops. In this study, the functional responses of the predatory bugs, Orius laevigatus (Fieber) and Orius vicinus (Ribaut), to different densities of the eggs of the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and red spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), were determined under laboratory conditions. Different numbers of eggs (2, 4, 6, 8, 16, 32, 64 and 128) of both species of prey were offered to females of the above predators for 24-h in a controlled environment of 25 ± 1°C, 60 ± 10% RH and under a 16L : 8D photoperiod. The parameters of the functional responses were assessed using Holling's Disc Equation. Both predators showed a Type II response to both prey. The attack rates (a) and handling times (Th) of the predators were computed for spider mites eggs: O. laevigatus (a: 0.972, Th: 0.007) and O. vicinus (a: 1.113, Th: 0.005), and whitefly eggs: O. laevigatus (a: 1.022, Th: 0.002) and O. vicinus (a: 0.772 Th: 0.006). Furthermore, the average number of B. tabaci eggs consumed by O. laevigatus females was greater than by those of O. vicinus. In contrast, O. vicinus was a more efficient predator of T. urticae eggs than O. laevigatus. Consequently, these results indicate that together these predators might be effective biological control agents in regulating populations of B. tabaci and T. urticae in agricultural ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intraguild predation of a generalist predator, Orius niger Wolff (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) on Trichogramma evanescens Westwood (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), was determined in choice and no-choice experiments using a factitious host, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), under laboratory conditions. Choice and no-choice experiments were conducted in order to assess the level of intraguild predation of O. niger on E. kuehniella eggs parasitized by T. evanescens. In no-choice experiments, approximately 50 sterile (1) non-parasitized, (2) 3-day-old parasitized, or (3) 6-day-old parasitized E. kuehniella eggs were offered to 24-h-old females of O. niger in glass tubes. In choice experiments approximately 25 eggs of two of the three groups mentioned above were offered to 24-h-old O. niger females. In both choice and no-choice experiments, O. niger consumed more non-parasitized eggs of E. kuehniella. However, intraguild predation occurred, especially of 3-day-old parasitoids, but very few 6-day-old parasitized eggs were consumed. The preference index was nearly 1 indicating O. niger preferred mainly non-parasitized E. kuehniella eggs. A lower level of intraguild predation is expected under field conditions but needs to be investigated using further experiments.

The minute pirate bugs (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) are an important group of natural enemies for biological control of many pests such as aphids, whiteflies, thrips, and spider mites. In this study, biodiversity of anthocorid bugs was studied in three geographical localities of Lorestan province (Khoramabad, Veisian, and Borujerd) during March 2014 to June 2016. A total of seven species, including Anthocoris pilosus (Jakolev‚ 1877), Orius albidipennis (Reuter, 1884), Orius laevigatus (Fieber, 1860), Orius minutus (Linnaeus, 1758), Orius niger (Wolff, 1811), Orius pallidicornis (Reuter, 1884) and Orius vicinus (Ribaut, 1923) were identified. We calculated the Shannon-Wiener index as 1.197, 0.939, and 0.898, the Simpson's index as 2.96, 1.75, and 1.75, and the Margalef's index as 0.66, 0.85, and 0.88 for anthocorid communities in Khoramabad, Veisian, and Borujerd, respectively. The biodiversity indices varied significantly in different seasons. The highest and the lowest diversity and abundance were recorded in summer and winter, respectively. The diversity indices were not statistically different between intensified (crop fields and orchards) and natural (rangelands and forests) habitats, though bugs in intensified habitats tended to have higher frequency and diversity than natural habitats. This study may provide useful information about species frequency and biodiversity of anthocorid bugs in Lorestan province.

Background and Objectives Cotton whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), is one of the most important pests of field crops, vegetables, and ornamental plants. Parasitoid wasps, Eretmocerus mundus Mercet and Eretmocerus eremicus Rose and Zolnerowich, as well as predatory bug Orius albidipennis Rueter are natural enemies which are used as biocontrol agents to control B. tabaci and play a critical role in reduction of chemical insecticide application. Materials and Methods In this study, experiments were carried out using a Y-tube olfactometer to determine the impact of volatiles emitted from leaves infested by B. tabaci on attraction of natural enemies. Moreover, the effect of presence of one natural enemy on attraction or repellency of another natural enemy was studied. Results Results of olfactory responses showed that infested cucumber leaves were more attractive for all species of natural enemy species, O. albidipennis, E. mundus and E. eremicus, than healthy leaves. The results also showed that O. albidipennis avoided leaves that both species of parasitoid wasps coexist on them. However, presence of O. albidipennis on the leaves as a competitor did not affect the attraction of the parasitoid wasps to infested leaves. Discussion Induced reactions in damaged plants increase their resistance to invasive pests. These changes can affect the reactions of all organisms around the plants including herbivores, pollinators, natural enemies, and even other plants nearby. Previous research confirms our results on attraction of natural enemies to plants injured by B. tabaci. Avoidance of O. albidipennis of patches containing parasitoids may be due to escape from intraguild predation or other reasons like low quality food in such patches. On the other hand, in this study both parasitoids preferred leaves containing O. albidipennis and whitefly nymphs to leaves with only whitefly nymphs. There is a hypothesis that female parasitoids should not avoid the polyphagous predators because they will lose many oviposition locations, as the number of polyphagous predators is too far in agroecosystems. This theory is corresponding well with the results of our study.

Natural enemies play an important role in managing insect pests. Orius sauteri (Poppius) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), a predator of many soft-body insects, is an important biological control agent in Asia. Understanding this predator’s egg-laying preferences and a habitat needs is important for its success in pest control. We investigated the plant acceptability and ovipositional preference of O. sauteri for coriander (Coriadrum sativum L., Apiales: Apiaceae), marigold (Tagetes erecta L., Asterales: Asteraceae), sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima L., Brassicales: Brassicaceae), and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L., Fabales: Fabaceae), and focused on the effects of plant physical and anatomical characteristics on the ovipositional preference of O. sauteri. The results showed that O. sauteri can lay eggs on uninfested plants in the vegetative stage and their eggs hatched normally. Orius sauteri females prefer plants with high stomatal density, a large stomatal area, and fewer trichomes as oviposition hosts, and the depth of egg placement was determined by leaf thickness. Our studies suggested that O. sauteri females can select oviposition hosts and specific oviposition sites by assessing the structural qualities of plant surface. Coriander and marigold are potentially suitable host plants for O.sauteri. The results aid the selection of cover crops to enhance natural enemies in the fields.

Many insect families contain one or more predatory species. In some of these families, all species are predators. Many predators are important as biological control agents against crop pest insects in agricultural pest management. Among them are true bugs (Hemiptera) with about dozen families of predators that they prey on insects and other small invertebrates. This study is based upon material of predatory Heteroptera collected from different localities of Turkey between 1967 and 2015. In this study, predatory Heteroptera and their potential prey species are investigated and 19 species of true bugs from the families Anthocoridae, Lygaeidae and Miridae, feeding on aphids are revealed in Turkey. In addition, information on their sampling localites is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flowering plants in gardens and along roadsides on the Big Island of Hawaii were sampled for thrips and anthocorid predators of thrips. A total of 171 plant samples, comprising 859 plant sample units (e.g. flowers or flower clusters) were collected from 56 species of plants in 25 families. Adult thrips were found on 43 plant species, and 32 of these also had larval thrips of the same species, indicating the plant species was a breeding host for thrips. Five different species of anthocorids – Orius persequens , Orius tristicolor , Paratriphleps laeviusculus , Montandoniola confusa , and Blaptostethus pallescens – were collected on 22 different plant species in 10 plant families. The plants with the highest numbers of anthocorid adults and nymphs present were Macaranga tanarius (Blush Macaraga), Verbesina encelioides (Golden Crownbeard) , Tithonia diversifolia (Tree Marigold), Acalypha hispida (Chenille bush), and Coreopsis lanceolata (Lance-leaf Coreopsis). Macaranga tanarius was found to be the best host plant for anthocorids, with an average of 25.5 adult and 21.1 larval anthocorids per plant sample. Orius persequens was the most abundant anthocorid on M. tanarius with average adult and larval densities of 24.1 and 17.3 per plant sample, respectively. None of the insects found in association with M. tanarius are known pests. Macaranga tanarius has great potential as a banker plant to help suppress thrips populations in greenhouse crops with anthocorid predators. Unlabelled Image • Flowering roadside plants were sampled for thrips and anthocorid predators. • Anthocorids were collected from 10 of the 29 species of plants with thrips. • Macaranga tanarius flowers harbored the most anthocorids, particularly Orius persequens. • None of the thrips or other insects associated with Macaranga tanarius are known pests. • Mancaranga tanarius has potential as a banker plant for anthocorid predators in Hawaii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study deals with the evaluation of anthocorid bug, Blaptostethus pallescens Poppius against Tetranychus urticae Koch on okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.), conducted in Karif season (June-August) during 2013-2015 in the net cage condition at Entomological Research Farm, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. The 6-7 days old nymphs of B. pallescens @ 10, 20 and 30 nymphs/m2 were released at weekly interval on the mite infested plants and these were compared with chemical control (Omite @ 300ml/acre at 10 days interval) and untreated control. The releases of predators and acaricidal spray on okra were found better than control in suppressing the population of T. urticae. The release of B. pallescens @ 30 nymphs/m2 was found most effective with a 75.86 to 81.20 per cent reduction of mite population over control. It was statistically at par with chemical control, where 84.04 to 91.66 per cent reduction of mite population over control was recorded. There was no significant difference observed in the reduction of mite population of the plots released with 20 and 10 nymphs/m2 of B. pallescens. The yield of okra from the plots of chemical control was recorded highest (52.70 q/acre), followed by 45.05 q/acre from the plots released with a B. pallescens @ 30 nymphs/m2 at seven days interval. The study concluded that, integrating predator, B. pallescens @ 30 nymphs/plant along with acaricide (Omite 300 ml/acre) as a component of IPM for the management of two-spotted spider mite, T. urticae on okra under net house conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imidacloprid and thiamethoxam are neonicotinoids that have been tested in several Orius species, including Orius laevigatus (Fieber) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), but not the variability in their effect among Orius populations of a single species. In this study, the variation in susceptibility to imidacloprid and thiamethoxam in 30 Mediterranean wild populations and four commercial populations of O. laevigatus was investigated in the laboratory using a standard dip bioassay method. Lethal concentration values (LC50) and the mortality of adults at the maximum field rate (MFR) were calculated. The range of LC50 of thiamethoxam was from 0.7 to 5.9 mg l−1, an 8.4‐fold variability, obtaining mortality at MFR (100 mg l−1) of >89.1% in all populations. The baseline obtained a value of 2.1 mg l−1, which is very low compared to the MFR. For imidacloprid, the LC50 varied from 7.7 to 94.7 mg l−1 (12.3‐fold variability). Mortalities at the MFR (150 mg l−1) were 57.7–99.2%, that is, more variable than for thiamethoxam. The LC50 value of the baseline was 48.7 mg l−1, also low compared to the MFR. This variation was exploited to select two populations resistant to thiamethoxam and imidacloprid, respectively. Artificial selection for on average 40 cycles significantly increased the resistance to thiamethoxam (LC50 = 149.1 mg l−1) and imidacloprid (LC50 = 309.9 mg l−1). Mortalities at the MFR in the thiamethoxam‐ and imidacloprid‐resistant populations were 44.5 and 36.9%, respectively. These results demonstrate that resistance can be enhanced in biocontrol agents by artificial selection under laboratory conditions, starting with populations showing no or very low tolerance. Our neonicotinoid‐resistant populations might enhance the wider adoption of biological control by allowing punctual or hotspot applications of neonicotinoids to control several main and secondary pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]