REPRODUCTION OF ORIUS-LAEVIGATUS AND ORIUS-ALBIDIPENNIS ON POLLEN ANDEPHESTIA-KUEHNIELLA EGGS

Reproduction and longevity of the anthocorid predators Orius laevigatu s (Fieber) and Orius albidipennis (Reuter) (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) were studied under controlled conditions in the laboratory Three diff erent diets were tested: eggs of the Mediterranean flour moth, Ephesti a kuehniella Zeller, E. kuehniella eggs plus pollen, and pollen only. Small rooted plants of Spanish pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. 'Creta', long red) served as oviposition substrate and moisture source. In all treatments, total fecundity, oviposition period and female longevity of O. laevigatus were greater than that of O. albidipennis. When a die t of E. kuehniella eggs was supplemented with pollen, total fecundity of O. albidipennis was increased by about 40%. Female O. albidipennis fed only pollen laid five times less eggs than those fed flour moth eg gs and pollen; also, longevity of females was shorter when only pollen was offered as food. Fecundity and longevity of O. laevigatus were no t influenced when supplementing a diet of E. kuehniella eggs with poll en. Females of O. laevigatus receiving only pollen reduced egg product ion by about 60% but had a similar longevity as those receiving a diet including flour moth eggs. In either species, preoviposition period a nd egg hatch were not affected by diet. The ability of both anthocorid s to use pollen as an alternative or additional food is discussed in r elation to their practical use in integrated control programmes.