Study of reproduction and longevity of predatory bug Orius albidipennis (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) fed on three diets under laboratory conditions

The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch is one of the most important Rose shrubs pest that regularly cause economic damage to this crop in greenhouses. T. urticae shows a high of level of resistance to most chemical acaricides. Orius bugs are one of the most abundant predators in field and gardens that fed on aphids, mites, thrips, whiteflies, and insect eggs. Wherease most of the collecting bugs was O. albidipennis in Mahalat township and there are not reports dealing with biological characteristics of O. albidipennis fed on T. urticae on Rose shrubs. Therefore in this study reproduction and longevity of O. albidipennis were studied on three different diets including the two-spotted spider mite, T. urticae (reared on Rose) plus corn pollen; the two-spotted spider mite; and eggs of the grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella Olivier plus corn pollen in laboratory condition.The leaves of Pelargonium hortom served as oviposition substrate and moisture source. Results indicated the oviposition period and fecundity on S. cerealella plus corn pollen (51.3 ± 0.6 days and 150.4 ± 3.15 eggs/female, respectively) were significantly (á = 0.05) higher than T. urticae plus corn pollen (31.4 ± 1.68 days and 113.9 ± 7.89 eggs/female, respectively) and T. urticae (28.2 ± 1.88 days and 100.4 ± 5.62 eggs/female, respectively). Daily eggs laying of O. albidipennis on T. urticae plus corn pollen (3.62 ± 0.18 eggs) and T. urticae (3.56 ± 0.18 eggs) were significantly (á = 0.05) higher on S. cerealella plus corn pollen (2.93 ± 0.17 eggs). The sex ratio (the female ration population) was significantly (á = 0.05) higher on S. cerealella plus corn pollen (%53.8) than two another diets. The female longevity was significantly (á = 0.05) higher on S. cerealella Oliveir plus corn pollen (58.2 ± 2.98 days) than T. urticae plus corn pollen (38.6 ± 2.23 days) and T. urticae (35.1 ± 4.75 days). There were no significant (á = 0.05) differences in male longevity among the three diets (35 ± 1.48, 39.2 ± 3.52 and 35 ± 1.69, respectively). The kind of diets didn’t effect on premating period, preoviposition period and egg hatching percentation. Results of this search indicated O. albidipennis having ability to control of T.urticae on Rose shrubs and moth eggs plus pollen is best diet for mass-rearing of this predator.