Functional Response of Orius niger on healthy and Beauveria bassiana-treated Adults of two-spotted spider mite on tomato

عنوان دوره: دومین کنگره بین المللی حشره شناسی ایران

Ali Asghar Kosari؛ Ahad Sahragard؛ Reza Talaei-Hassanloui

Study of behavioral parameters and functional response of predators is an important process in selecting these agents for biological control programs. In the case of simultaneous use of these predatory insects with entomopathogens, behavioral reactions of predator may be altered. In this study, types of functional response of the predator, Orius niger (Hem.: Anthocoridae) were determined when fed on the healthy adult female mite, Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) and on the Beauveria bassiana-treated mites at the four time intervals 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours in different densities 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 at 25±1 °C, 65±5% RH and 16:8h (L:D) photoperiod. Functional response of this predatory bug on untreated mites was Type III while it was Type II in other treatments. Comparison of searching time in control with fungus treatments at various time intervals was only non-significant for time treatments 24 with 48, 48 with 72 and 0 with 72 hours post-inoculation. Maximum attack rate (T/Th) in treatments 48 and 72 hours was reduced and was significantly different from other treatments; concomitantly handling time of predator was increased. These results suggest the effect of entomopathogenic fungus on behavioral reactions of predatory bug O. niger.

Tomato؛ searching؛ handling time؛ density؛ attack rate