Experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of different temperature regimes (16, 20, 24, 28, 32 and 36±1°C) on the biological and fertility table parameters of Orius tantillus (Motsch.), an efficient indigenous predator of various thrips species in India Temperature influenced the development and reproduction of O. tantillus. Based on the biological parameters, viz. longevity, fecundity and fertility parameters, 24°C was recorded to be the optimum temperature for rearing O. tantillus. The temperature of 16°C had a detrimental effect on nymphal survival, while 36°C on fecundity. Thus, 16 and 36°C were recorded as unsuitable for rearing O. tantillus. The lower threshold temperatures for development of eggs and nymphs of O. tantillus were 8.66 and 6.92°C, respectively, indicating that the eggs are more heat-sensitive than the nymphs. Based on the T 0 values, O. tantillus appears to be less heat sensitive in comparison to other Orius spp. The information generated through this study could be used for further improving the standardized production protocol for O. tantillus and also for planning and timing field releases to target thrips species.

The present research paper provides detailed morphology and morphometrics of an anthocorid predator, Blaptostethus pallescens Poppius. To identify the alternate laboratory host to be utilized for mass production, biological parameters of the anthocorid were evaluated by rearing on UV irradiated eggs of two alternate laboratory hosts, Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton) and Sitotroga cerealella (Motsch.). Five nymphal instars were recorded on both hosts. No significant differences were observed in incubation period, nymphal duration, total developmental period and sex ratio when reared on the two hosts. However, significant differences were observed in two biological parameters i.e., adult longevity and fecundity. Longer life span and higher fecundity of B. pallescens was recorded when reared on C. cephalonica eggs in comparison to S. cerealella eggs, indicating the suitability of C. cephalonica eggs for mass rearing B. pallescens in the laboratory. B. pallescens could be reared continuously for 7 generations on C. cephalonica eggs.

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