Evaluation of various diets and oviposition substrates for rearing Orius albidipennis Reuter

A suitable diet and oviposition substrate are two basic needs for successful mass rearing of Orius spp. and this may reduce their production costs. The effect of various foods containing eggs of Ephestia kuehniella and Sitotroga cerealella with various pollens were investigated on the biological parameters of O. albidipennis in the laboratory. Moreover, survival, hatching rate and fecundity of the predatory bug on various natural substrates were compared. Nymphal developmental time of the bug on diets including E. kuehniella and S. cerealella varied from 13 to 14.2 and 14 to 15.3 days, respectively. The nymph and adult survival and consumption rate were not significantly affected by the dietary treatments. Because of a more rapid development with food containing eggs of E. kuehniella, they are the best nymphal diets for mass rearing of O. albidipennis. It must be noted that S. cerealella eggs are six times cheaper than E. kuehniella eggs. Therefore, the foods containing eggs of S. cerealella may be more economic for mass rearing of the bug despite a slower development of nymphs that fed on them. Also, composition of S. cerealella and date palm pollen is the most suitable diet for mass rearing of O. albidipennis adults due to a higher fecundity and longevity of the adults and lower costs of the diet. Female longevity, total eggs and hatching percentage of the predatory bug on Sedum ternatum were significantly higher than other natural substrates. These results may have practical implications for mass rearing of O. albidipennis as part of a biological control program.