Abstract
BackgroundThe flower bug Orius sauteri is an important polyphagous predator that is widely used for the biological control of mites and aphids. However, the optimal conditions for mass rearing of this insect are still unclear, thus limiting its application.MethodologyIn this study, we investigated the optimal ingredients of an artificial diet for raising O. sauteri using a microencapsulation technique. The ingredients included egg yolk (vitellus), whole-pupa homogenate of the Tussah silk moth (Antheraea paphia), honey, sucrose, rapeseed (Brassica napus) pollen and sinkaline. We tested 25 combinations of the above ingredients using an orthogonal experimental design. Using statistical analysis, we confirmed the main effect factors amongst the components, and selected five optimal combinations based on different biological and physiological characters.Principal FindingsThe results showed that, although different artificial diet formats significantly influenced the development and reproductive ability of O. sauteri, the complete development of O. sauteri to sexual maturity could only be achieved by optimizing the artificial diet according to specific biological characters. In general, pupae of A. paphia had more influence on O sauteri development than did artificial components. The results of a follow-up test of locomotory and respiratory capacity indicated that respiratory quotient, metabolic rate and average creeping speed were all influenced by different diets. Furthermore, the field evaluations of mating preference, predatory consumption and population dispersion also demonstrated the benefits that could be provided by optimal artificial diets.ConclusionsA microencapsulated artificial diet overcame many of the difficulties highlighted by previous studies on the mass rearing of O. sauteri. Optimization of the microencapsulated artificial diet directly increased the biological and physiological characters investigated. Successive physiological tests and field investigations were used to evaluate the outcome of different artificial diet combinations on the quality of the reared O. sauteri.
Highlights
The use of the predacious flower bug, Orius sauteri (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) as a method of biological control in greenhouses was first demonstrated over 10 years ago [1]
Principal Findings: The results showed that, different artificial diet formats significantly influenced the development and reproductive ability of O. sauteri, the complete development of O. sauteri to sexual maturity could only be achieved by optimizing the artificial diet according to specific biological characters
A microencapsulated artificial diet overcame many of the difficulties highlighted by previous studies on the mass rearing of O. sauteri
Summary
The use of the predacious flower bug, Orius sauteri (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) as a method of biological control in greenhouses was first demonstrated over 10 years ago [1]. Thysanopteran and lepidopteran pests can be efficiently controlled by O. sauteri [2,3,4,5,6,7,8] This efficient predator is indigenous to Asia and its biology, physiology and ecology have been well studied [8,9,10,11,12]. Chemical substances, such as saccharides or choline, were included as necessary components of the diet [29]. Despite these studies, an optimal artificial diet is still lacking for successful rearing of O. sauteri. The optimal conditions for mass rearing of this insect are still unclear, limiting its application
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