Rearing immature feeding stage of Orius majesculus Reut. (Het., Anthocoridae) on the acarid mite Tyrophagus putriscentiae Schr. as new alternative prey

Abstract

The acarid mite Tyrophagus putriscentiae was used as prey for mass rearing of the immature feeding stages of the anthocorid predator Orius majesculus. Production of the new prey is clean, simple and cheeper than production of natural preys (aphids, thrips, tetranychid mite, lepidopterous eggs). Durations of the five nymphal stadia of Orius were studied when reared on the new mite prey compared to rearing on thrips as target pest. They were shorter and associated with higher survival rates on this new prey. Feeding capacity of all nymphal stadia on the thrips Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergade) was calculated to demonstrate the potential capability of this predator as biocontrol agent. Zusammenfassung Zucht der nahrungsaufnehmenden Entwicklungsstadien von Orius majesculus Reut. (Het., Anthocoridae) mit der Milbe Tyrophagus putriscentiae Schr. als neuer Beute Es gelang erstmalig, eine erfolgreiche Massenzucht von Orius majesculus unter Nutzung der Milbenart Tyrophagus putriscentiae durchzuführen. Die Verwendung dieser Milbe als neue alternative Beute vereinfacht die Zucht von Blumenwanzen. Außerdem ergeben sich ökonomische Vorteile im Vergleich zu Zuchten unter Verwendung von Blattläusen, Tetranychus‐Arten, Thripsen und Lepidopte‐reneiern als Nahrung. Die Entwicklungsdauer der Nymphen von O. majesculus war unter Verwendung von T. putriscentiae mit 13,9 ± 1,1 Tagen kürzer als an Thripsen mit 15,2 ± 1,2 Tagen. Weiterhin war die Überlebensrate an der neuen Beute höher (90,3 ± 2,7 %) als an Thripsen (79,3 ± 2,7 %). Die Fraßkapazität der einzelnen Entwicklungsstadien wurde an dem Kalifornischen Blütenthrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergade) untersucht. Die nahrungsaufnehmenden Entwicklungsstadien fraßen insgesamt während einer Entwicklungsdauer von 12–14 Tagen bei Temperaturen von 25,5 ± 0,5°C zwischen 111 und 138 Thripse (122,0 ± 8,1).

Tritrophic Interactions of TransgenicBacillus thuringiensisCorn,Anaphothrips obscurus(Thysanoptera: Thripidae), and the PredatorOrius majusculus(Heteroptera: Anthocoridae)

“…Total developmental time observed in our study was 13.9 and 14.1 d for O. majusculus reared on B. thuringiensis-free and B. thuringiensis-fed thrips, respectively. This is in agreement with data by Husseini et al (1993), who reported a developmental time for O. majusculus of Ϸ15.2 Ϯ 1.2 d at 25.5 Ϯ 0.5ЊC when fed with thrips of the species F. occidentalis.…”

Development, consumption rates and reproductive biology of Orius albidipennis reared on various prey

“…Data were recorded in the form of developmental time, mortality, and prey consumption for each instar (El-Husseini et al 1993). After adult eclosion, the sex ratio of O. albidipennis reared on each of the four prey types was determined and expressed as percent female.…”

Influence of thrips prey species on the life‐history and behaviour of Orius albidipennis

“…Collection methods, laboratory conditions and rearing tubes were the same as for the thrips cultures, with addition of M. sjostedti larvae for food. Eggs inserted in plant pods were kept in petri dishes (9 cm diameter) on moistened filter paper during the egg incubation period as described by Husseini et al (1993). When adults were used for behavioural experiments, they were reared on the spider mite Tetranychus urticae to avoid the influence of diet on prey choice.…”

“…This difference in the number of individuals tested was due to the high mortality of the nymphs fed with cowpea leaves only. The development from one nymphal instar to the next was monitored daily by checking the exuviae, until the adult stage (Husseini et al, 1993). At the same time, dead nymphs were also recorded.…”