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Abstract
Orius sauteri (Poppius) is an important hemipterous predator that has been mass-reared for biological control of numerous pests in protected crop-production systems. To find a good oviposition substrate for mass-rearing this predator under insectary conditions [25°C, 65 ± 5% relative humidity, and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) h], we compared kidney bean, soybean, broad bean sprouts and fresh leaves of kidney bean. We found that O. sauteri made more punctures and laid more eggs in kidney bean sprouts than in the other substrates examined. However, there were no significant differences among substrates in the proportion of punctures receiving eggs. Female O. sauteri laid the most eggs (as many as 68 eggs) in kidney bean sprouts and also had the shortest pre-oviposition period on this plant material. In addition, there were no significant differences in total oviposition durations or female longevity among the four plant substrates. The hatch rates of nymphs in the sprouts and leaves of kidney bean (>90%) were higher than those in soybean and broad bean sprouts. Thus, we found that the kidney bean sprout was the most suitable substrate for mass-rearing of O. sauteri.
Acknowledgements
We are grateful for the assistance of all staff and students in the Key Laboratory of Applied Entomology, Northwest A&F University at Yangling, Shaanxi, China.
Funding
This research was partially supported by each of the following grants: the National Natural Science Foundation of China [No. 31272089]; National Basic Research programme of China [973 Projects No. 2012CB114105 and No. 2012CB017359]; China Agriculture Research System [CARS-25-B-06]; and the Youth Scientific Research Foundation, BAAFS [#QNJJ201008].