A comparative study of two-sex life table parameters of Orius laevigatus fieber (Hemiptera: anthocoridae) on two mealybug species, Planococcus citri Risso, and P. solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Abstract Background Augmentative biological control is a crucial component of Integrated Pest Management, and Orius laevigatus Fieber (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) is an important predator used commercially. However, the two-sex life table parameters of O. laevigatus on Planoccocus citri Risso , and P. solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) have not been fully characterised. This study aimed to assess the potential of P. citri and, P. solenopsis as prey for mass-rearing the predatory bug. To accomplish this, three different prey items (individuals of P. citri , P. soleneopsis , and eggs of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)) were used to determine the life table parameters of the minute pirate bug. Results Daily and total fecundity, adult longevity, APOP, TPOP, and pre-adult periods were calculated in this study. The results showed that daily fecundity was 7.4 ± 0.10, 4.41 ± 0.08, 3.47 ± 0.08, and adult longevity was 20.9 ± 0.47, 15.17 ± 0.31, 14.03 ± 0.39 on E. kuehniella , P. solenopsis and P. citri , respectively. Net reproduction rate ( R 0 ) was 57.23 ± 11.35, 17.27 ± 3.57, 11.05 ± 2.30, and the intrinsic rate of increase ( r ) was 0.172 ± 0.009, 0.084 ± 0.006, 0.069 ± 0.006 on E. kuehniella , P. soleneopsis , and P. citri , respectively. Additionally, finite rate of increase ( λ ), gross reproductive rate (GRR), and mean generation time ( T ) were calculated on the three tested prey. Conclusion Overall, the results showed that eggs of E. kuehniella were the most suitable prey for the mass-rearing of O. laevigatus . Although P. citri and P. solenopsis had worse results than E. kuehniella , P. solenopsis may still have potential, and O. laevigatus could potentially be used against this pest with further studies in laboratory and field conditions.