Life stage affects prey use with fitness consequences in a zoophytophagous mirid bug

Omnivorous insects make foraging decisions between plant and prey resources depending on their accessibility, availability, nutritional value. This shapes the stability complexity of food webs, but also pest control services in agroecosystems. The mirid bug Lygus pratensis is a common cotton China, it feeds variety species. However, little known about how different types available affect its fitness behaviour. In laboratory experiments, we measured (survival, longevity fecundity) L. fed with bean pod only, Aphis gossypii nymphs, or Helicoverpa armigera eggs, conducted focal observations behaviour when provided latter two. Adding H. to diet increased (both survival fecundity), while adding A. was marginally detrimental. diets did not time spent walking (searching for resources) preying, significantly affected sapping tissue life stage. Nymphs more than (possibly through higher efficiency handling prey). addition, adults less nymphs good mobile due protein requirements). special case life-history omnivory highlights natural where major crop at juvenile stage may become biological agent adult