Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata (1997) 82, 311-318
L. Sigsgaard and P. Esbjerg (1997)
Cage experiments on Orius tantillus predation of Helicoverpa armigera
Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 82 (3), 311-318
Abstract: The role of Orius tantillus (Motschulsky) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) in the predation of H. armigera was studied on both sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) and pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.), the predominant intercrop of small farmers in Andhra Pradesh, India. Adult Orius tantillus was observed in cages where there were eggs and first-instar larvae of H. armigera on sorghum and pigeonpea. We found that O. tantillus had two diurnal peaks of activity, after sunrise and before sunset. O. tantillus was found preying on first-instar larvae and not on eggs. However, a later immunoassay of O. tantillus collected on sorghum during a peak period of H. armigera oviposition activity showed that predation of eggs did occur under certain conditions. The activity of O. tantillus on sorghum was significantly higher on the flowers than elsewhere but this was not the case on pigeonpea. Therefore O. tantillus was a significantly more efficient predator on sorghum than on pigeonpea. The results indicate that O. tantillus could be an important predator of early stages of an H. armigera infestation, particularly in sorghum.
(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): Lene Sigsgaard, Peter Esbjerg
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution
Pest and/or beneficial records:
| Beneficial | Pest/Disease/Weed | Crop/Product | Country | Quarant.
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helicoverpa armigera | Sorghum (crop) | India | ||
| Helicoverpa armigera | Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) | India | ||
| Orius tantillus (predator) | Helicoverpa armigera | Sorghum (crop) | India | |
| Orius tantillus (predator) | Helicoverpa armigera | Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) | India |
