Using a Two-Sex Life Table Tool to Calculate the Fitness of Orius strigicollis as a Predator of Pectinophora gossypiella

Abstract

A two-sex life table is a useful tool for studying the fitness of predators. Previous studies of Orius strigicollis Poppius (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) fitness have not been done on Pectinophora gossypiella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) using a two-sex life table tool. This study reports the fitness of the minute predatory flower bug, O. strigicollis when feeding on the cotton pest P. gossypiella using a two-sex life table tool. Different densities (5, 10, and 15 eggs) of P. gossypiella eggs were used to calculate the feeding capacity and fitness of O. strigicollis in the laboratory at 28 °C ± 1, 75 ± 5% RH and 16:8 (L:D). The results concluded that O. strigicollis is an efficient predator of P. gossypiella. The maximum growth capacity of the predatory bug O. strigicollis was attained when it was fed on 10 and 15 P. gossypiella eggs. Furthermore, shorter generation and development time were also observed in the case of 15 eggs of P. gossypiella. These results suggest that O. strigicollis has considerable predatory potential and prefers feeding on P. gossypiella eggs than on the first instar larvae at the fourth instar or the female stage. Although the field potential of O. strigicollis is still unknown, this study will support future investigations in terms of field applications.

Temperature-Dependent Functional Response of Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on the Eggs of Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Laboratory

“…Biological control agents are considered the major forces regulating insect populations in global agroecosystems [ 23 , 24 ]. In particular, the coccinellids ladybeetles are an important group of insect predators, as they have large body size and prey upon multiple prey resources [ 25 ].…”

Lethal and Sublethal Effects of Chlorpyrifos on Biological Traits and Feeding of the Aphidophagous Predator Harmonia axyridis

“…Predators play a vital role in the regulation of a wide range of pests in agro-ecosystems [ 1 , 2 ] as they can control different insect pests from different families [ 3 ]. Many ladybeetle species (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) are gregarious predators of several pest species, such as aphids [ 4 , 5 ], whiteflies [ 6 ], mealybugs [ 7 ], mites [ 8 ], and scale insects [ 9 ].…”

Determination of fitness traits of Orius strigicollis Poppius (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) on Pectinophora gossypiella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) using two-sex life table analysis

“…The biology of predators and parasitoids is greatly influenced by environmental factors ( Jaleel et al, 2019 ; Ali et al, 2020 ). Temperature is one of the most important abiotic environmental factors ( Saleh & Sengonca, 2003 ; Jaleel et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Among Orius spp., Orius strigicollis Poppius (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) which was previously known as Orius similis Zheng (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) (junior synonym of O. strigicollis ) ( Yasunaga, 1997 ; Jung, Yamada & Lee, 2013 ), also known as the predatory flower bug, originated in southern China and is a more effective predator in agroecosystems ( Zhou et al, 2006 ). Adults and nymphs of O. strigicollis feed on an extensive range of soft bodied insect pests, such as Aphis gossypii , Frankliniella formosae (Moulton) and Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval) ( Zhang et al, 2012 ), and also feed on lepidopteran pest eggs or hatched larvae ( Bonte & De Clercq, 2011 ; Ali et al, 2020 ). O. strigicollis have been observed in large quantities in cotton fields ( Zhou & Lei, 2002 ; Ahmadi, Sengonca & Blaeser, 2007 ).…”