Red-eye mutants in Orius bugs (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae)

Abstract

Eye-color mutants were found in the flower bugs, Orius sauteri (Poppius) and O. strigicollis (Poppius), which are effective natural enemies of thrips and mites. The mutants have bright red eyes, and are easily discriminated from the wild type (with purple to black eyes) after the 2nd nymphal instar. By crossing experiments, it was determined that the red eye trait was recessive and the locus was inferred to be autosomal in both species. In experiments using the mutants, it was shown that Orius sauteri and O. strigicollis females mate only once or a few times during their lifetimes. Similar mutants may be found in other Orius populations or species.