A comparative study of two-sex life table parameters of Orius laevigatus fieber (Hemiptera: anthocoridae) on two mealybug species, Planococcus citri Risso, and P. solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Abstract

Abstract Background Augmentative biological control is a crucial component of Integrated Pest Management, and Orius laevigatus Fieber (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) is an important predator used commercially. However, the two-sex life table parameters of O. laevigatus on Planoccocus citri Risso, and P. solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) have not been fully characterised. This study aimed to assess the potential of P. citri and, P. solenopsis as prey for mass-rearing the predatory bug. To accomplish this, three different prey items (individuals of P. citri, P. soleneopsis, and eggs of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)) were used to determine the life table parameters of the minute pirate bug. Results Daily and total fecundity, adult longevity, APOP, TPOP, and pre-adult periods were calculated in this study. The results showed that daily fecundity was 7.4 ± 0.10, 4.41 ± 0.08, 3.47 ± 0.08, and adult longevity was 20.9 ± 0.47, 15.17 ± 0.31, 14.03 ± 0.39 on E. kuehniella, P. solenopsis and P. citri, respectively. Net reproduction rate (R0) was 57.23 ± 11.35, 17.27 ± 3.57, 11.05 ± 2.30, and the intrinsic rate of increase (r) was 0.172 ± 0.009, 0.084 ± 0.006, 0.069 ± 0.006 on E. kuehniella, P. soleneopsis, and P. citri, respectively. Additionally, finite rate of increase (λ), gross reproductive rate (GRR), and mean generation time (T) were calculated on the three tested prey. Conclusion Overall, the results showed that eggs of E. kuehniella were the most suitable prey for the mass-rearing of O. laevigatus. Although P. citri and P. solenopsis had worse results than E. kuehniella, P. solenopsis may still have potential, and O. laevigatus could potentially be used against this pest with further studies in laboratory and field conditions.