Thermal effects on reproductive diapause induction in Orius sauteri (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae)

Abstract

All females of Orius sauteri exhibited reproductive diapause at 22°C but 37% of them initiated oviposition at 26°C under 10L-14D. Although less females initiated oviposition under 10L-14D than under 14L-10D at 26°C, the mean preoviposition period under 10L-14D was shorter than that under 14L-10D at 26°C. The short photoperiod did not appear to prolong the preoviposition period under 26°C. If O. sauteri is used as a biological control agent against non-diapausing thrips like Thrips palmi in greenhouses under short photoperiod, maintaining a high temperature should be considered to prevent reproductive diapause induction in O. sauteri.