Suitability of greenbugs, cotton aphids, and Heliothis virescens eggs for development and reproduction of Orius insidiosus

Development, fecundity, and longevity of the predator, Orius insidiosus (Say) (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae), when reared on greenbug [ Schizaphis graminum (Rondani)], cotton aphid ( Aphis gossypii Glover), or eggs of tobacco budworm [ Heliothis virescens (F.)] with green beans or water were examined. Developmental time was shortest when predators were reared on H. virescens eggs and beans and longest when reared on cotton aphids and water. Predators were most fecund when fed H. virescens eggs. The inclusion of beans in the nymphal diet further enhanced fecundity when fed eggs. Longevity of both females and males was significantly shorter when reared on aphids than on eggs. Beans in the nymphal diet enhanced longevity of female predators only in combination with budworm eggs. Female O. insidiosus were largest when reared on H. virescens eggs. Addition of green beans in aphid treatments resulted in increased size of O. insidiosus when compared to aphids and free water.