Influence of the eggs of Ephestia kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) reared on different diets on the performance of the predatory bug Orius laevigatus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae)

The predatory bug, Orius laevigatus (Fieber, 1860) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), is an important biological control agent and widely used for augmentative of the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande, 1895 (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in greenhouse crops. This bug generally reared using Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller, 1879 (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). aim this study was to determine effects E. eggs produced by adult moths on different larval diets performance O. laevigatus. were 95% cornmeal + 5% yeast (CY diet), 53.3% 26.7% wheat bran 15% Glycerine (CBGY diet) (WBGY diet). Laboratory studies started with newly emerged nymphs kept a climate chamber at 27°C, 60% relative humidity 14L :10D photoperiod. Eggs kuheniella adults that fed one three provided as source food bean pods water. Following emergence, all individuals sexed, female male pairs put plastic containers (30 cc) pods. Nymphal development time, fecundity longevity not differently affected feeding diets. In addition, daily total egg consumption similar. Because CY diet contain more nutrients, their lower. indicates adequate rearing producing