Functional Response of Orius albidipennis (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) to Thrips tabaci and Aphis pomi

Thrips and aphids are important pests in greenhouses, due to transmitting viruses. Orius bugs have been proved to be effective predators of these pests, especially in greenhouses. One of the most important factors related to efficiency of predators and parasitoids is their functional response, which refers to the change in the number of prey consumed by a predator per unit time, in relation to prey density. The functional response of adult female of Orius albidipennis Reuter to Thrips tabaci Lind and Aphis pomi Degeer were studied in the laboratory conditions (25± °C, 50±10% RH, 12L:12D photoperiod), and densities of 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64 adult T. tabaci and A. pomi per petrydish, over 24h. The data provided good fit to Rogers-II functional response model for both preys. Searching efficiency (a) and handling time (Th) were determined 1.517 and 0.068 for T. tabaci; and 1.369 and 0.067 for A. pomi which not significantly different. Finally these results show high efficiency of O. albidipennis for controlling mentioned pests.