Abstract
Bean flower thrips, Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is a serious pest of cowpea in Hainan province, China. In this study, the predation functional response and life table parameters of the minute pirate bug, Orius sauteri (Poppius) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), feeding on M. usitatus were measured in the laboratory. The functional response of O. sauteri to increasing M. usitatus density was described by Holling's disc equation, and the maximum predation rate was 45.3 over 24 h. The intraspecific interference of O. sauteri was significant with increasing O. sauteri density. Orius sauteri was able to complete its life cycle feeding on M. usitatus, with an intrinsic rate of increase (r) of 0.16 and fecundity of 95.4 eggs per female. Female and male minute pirate bugs consumed an average of 304.7 and 104.0 thrips over their lifetimes, respectively. These results show O. sauteri to be a potential biological control agent in the integrated pest management of M. usitatus.
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