The mating systems of three species of minute pirate bug, Orius sauteri, O. minutus, and O. strigicollis

Abstract

We compared the mating systems and genital morphology of three Orius species dominant in Japan: Orius sauteri (Poppius), Orius minutus (L.), and Orius strigicollis (Poppius) (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae). In all three species, the males were polygamous and could inseminate at least three females at a rate of one female per day. Compared to the other two species, the O. minutus males had a lower rate of success in three consecutive mating orders. The mated females laid the same number of eggs irrespective of mating sequence. Orius minutus and O. strigicollis females were found to be monandrous, and they re‐mated with another male only when the 1st mating failed. In contrast, O. sauteri females were polyandrous and accepted a 2nd male even when the 1st mating was successful. Multiple mating with a single male did not increase their fecundity, and it decreased the hatching success of eggs. Mating with multiple males did not affect the fecundity or hatching success. Our scanning electron microscopy observation suggested that the genitalia of O. minutus and O. strigicollis were more similar in shape. The similarities in mating system and morphology between O. minutus and O. strigicollis support a close phylogenetic relationship.

Basic Studies Aiming at Orius minutus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) Mass-Rearing

“…We also verified the predatory ability of the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae)), which was 1.39 times higher than that of O. laevigatus [17]. Other studies have examined reproductive diapause due to photoperiod [18], field applications [19], ecological characteristics [20], temperature-dependent growth characteristics [21], sex pheromones [22], and mating and morphological characteristics [23]. However, few studies of mass-rearing have been conducted [24].…”

Food quality of Ephestia eggs, the aphid Rhopalosiphum padi and mixed diet for Orius majusculus

“…The mating system of O. majusculus seems not to have been investigated. In other Orius species, females may be monandrous or polyandrous, while the males of all species are polygynous (Arakawa, Taniai, & Maeda, ; Leon‐Beck & Coll, ). Therefore, we cannot tell whether male longevity costs resulted from single or multiple mating.…”