Effect of different laboratory hosts on the fertility table parameters and contnuous rearing of an anthocorid predator, Onus tantillus (Motsch.)

Orius tantillus (Motsch.) is a potential indigenous predator feeding on different species of thrips infesting vegetables, fruits and ornamentals. Laboratory studies were conducted at National Bureau of Agriculturally Important Insects, Bangalore, to understand the effect of different laboratory hosts on the fertility table parameters and contnuous rearing of an anthocorid predator, Orius tantillus (motsch.). Based on the fertility table parameters of O. tantillus, the present study concluded that eggs of Sitotroga cerealella (Oliv.) can be utilized effectively for the multiplication of this anthocorid predator. Continuous laboratory rearing for 12 generations on the alternate laboratory host eggs further indicated that S. cerealella was a more suitable laboratory host in comparison to Corcyra cephalonica Stainton.