Biological characteristics of Orius similis Zheng (Heteroptera, Anthocoridae) by feeding on different aphid species as prey

Abstract

The predatory flower bug Orius similis Zheng (Heteroptera, Anthocoridae) which originated in China is a polyphagous predator that feeds on a wide range of arthropod pests such as aphids, thrips and spider mites. However, sufficient information about the biological parameters of O. similis with different aphid species as prey is still lacking in the literature. Therefore, in the present work, development, mortality, longevity and reproduction of O. similis were studied in the laboratory with Aphis fabae (Scopoli), Aphis gossypii (Glover), Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris), Myzus persicae (Sulzer) and Aphis pomi (De Geer) as prey. Prey species, their (prey’s) host plants and the age of the females had influenced the duration of embryonic development of O. similis. Nymphal developmental duration varied significantly according to prey species and (prey’s) host plant. The mean total nymphal developmental duration of both sexes was significantly shorter when feeding on A pomi [14.0 (♀♀) and 14.4 (♂♂) days] than with other aphid species as prey. Total mortality during the development was also affected by prey and plant species. O. similis was able to develop with different aphid species as prey and reach the adult stage. The different aphid species as prey and the sex of the predator had significantly influenced longevity, which was the longest in unmated females with A gossypii as prey. Pre-oviposition and oviposition period varied also significantly depending on prey species. Adult females started oviposition 4–6 days after emergence, and the mean total fecundity was significantly the highest with A pisum as prey with a mean of 161.3 eggs/♀. The ability of this predator to oviposit and develop with different aphid species as prey is discussed in relation to its practical use for biological control of aphids in protected cultivation.