BioControl (2010) 55, 625-629

Maarten Bonte and Patrick De Clercq (2010)
Influence of diet on the predation rate of Orius laevigatus on Frankliniella occidentalis
BioControl 55 (5), 625-629
Abstract: The predation rate of fifth instars and female adults of Orius laevigatus (Fieber) fed honeybee pollen, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller eggs or an egg yolk based artificial diet on second instars of the western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) was examined in the laboratory. Predation rate of both fifth instars and female adults was not influenced by their diet. Despite a lower body weight, O. laevigatus reared on artificial diet or pollen killed as many prey as their peers reared on E. kuehniella eggs, suggesting that body weight is not a reliable predictor of predation rate. The use of non-prey foods for O. laevigatus for mass production or as a supplementary food to sustain its populations in the field when prey are scarce is discussed.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Maarten Bonte, Patrick De Clercq

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Frankliniella occidentalis
Orius laevigatus (predator)	Frankliniella occidentalis