Behaviour of Orius insidiosus Say (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) towards its prey, Thrips palmi Karny (Thysanoptera: Thripidae).

The behaviour of 5^th instar nymphs and adult males and females of anthocorid bug, Orius insidiosus preying on adult Thrips palmi was studied. Adult O. insidiosus males spent longest time in motion compared with 5^th instar nymphs and adult females. First encounter of prey was shortest for 5^th instar nymphs but not significantly different from that of adult females. The distance travelled to 1^st prey by 5^th instar nymphs was significantly shortest compared to both adult male and female O. insidiosus. However, speed of arrival to 1^st prey did not significantly differ among the three stages of O. insidiosus examined. Mean time spent by O. insidiosus 5^th instar nymphs and adult females on 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th prey encounters was not significantly different. However, adult males of O. insidiosus spent significantly less time on 4^th prey encounter compared with 1^st - 3^rd prey encounters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]