Investigation of some factors affecting mass production of Orius tantillus (Motschulsky) (Anthocoridae:Hemiptera) and its functional response to two factitious preys, Suidasia pontifica (Oudemans) (Acarida:Suidasiidae) and Corcyra cephalonica Stn. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Abstract

The effect of some factors on certain biological characteristics affecting mass production of Orius tantillus under artificial conditions, such as ovipositional substrate, moisture on egg hatchability, kind of food or factitious host on development, survival, longevity and fecundity were investigated. The functional response of O. tantillus to changes in prey density was also determined. Different materials to minimize cannibalism among individuals and instars of O. tantillus were tested. Among the legume sprouts offered as oviposition substrate in a series of free-choice and no-choice tests, those of Vigna sinensis x V. sesquipedalis ('bush bean') were the most preferred. Eggs laid in bush bean sprouts placed on wet cotton had significantly higher hatchability than eggs placed on dry or without cotton. Males of O. tantillus underwent shorter development on Suidasia pontifica than the females. On the other hand, development of females was the same on both S. pontifica and Corcyra cephalonica. Survival was significantly higher on S. pontifica. Female bugs lived longest on a diet of S. pontifica while males had a longer life span on C. cephalonica. Fecundity was higher on S. pontifica than on eggs of C. cephalonica. The functional response curves of O. tantillus on S. pontifica and on eggs of C. cephalonica were typical of the Type II model of Holling's disc equation.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Agricultural Scientist

ISSN

317454

Page

134-154

Document Type

Article

Subject

Corcyra cephalonica, Factors affecting mass production, Functional response, Mass production, Orius tantillus, Suidasia pontifica

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS