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Orius insidiosus

Identification

p>Orius insidiosus is a generalist predator that can feed on many species of small, soft-bodied insects like thrips, mites, aphids, small caterpillars and pollen. It has been shown to be an effective control for western flower thrips in cucumber and sweet pepper greenhouses.

Orius insidiosus a small predatory pirate bug, 2-2.5 mm long, belonging to the Anthocoridae family. It is black with light brown spots on its back. The nymphs look like the adults, but are dark orange and 0.5 to 1.8 mm long.

The adults and nymphs are highly voracious generalist predators. All stages of Orius move very quickly. The adults are good flyers and move efficiently throughout a greenhouse to locate prey. Adults are attracted to and often found in flowers. If prey is abundant, Orius kills more thrips than it needs to survive. The presence of pollen favors development of Orius as it acts as an alternate food source. It can be used in combination with Neoseiulus cucumeris or Amblyseius swriskii

Ornamental crops
Cucumbers
Sweet and hot peppers
Herbs and spices
Crops under shelters (small fruits, strawberries, grapes, etc.)
Indoor plants (plant walls, etc.)
Cannabis

Thrips
Echinothrips
Whiteflies
Aphids
Other soft-bodied insects

The Orius insidiosus life cycle is 3 weeks at 21 °C.
Optimal conditions are temperatures above 15 °C, with 60% relative humidity.
The sex ratio is generally 45% female to 55% male.
Females lay 2 eggs per day for a total of 30 eggs in their lifetime.
The young emerge 4-5 days later.
Nymphs go through 5 stages of development.
Adults live 3-4 weeks.
Orius enters diapause in the fall (as soon as there is less than 14 hours of light).

Bottle

A Bottle containing adult Orius insidiosus in sterilized buckwheat shells and Ephestia eggs (as transport food).

Application rate

Orius insidiosus
Introduction	Quantity	Surface	Frequency	Duration
Preventive (only pollen plants)	0,5	per m²	bi-weekly	2 introduction in total
Curative light	1	per m²	weekly	2 introductions in total
Hot spot	5-10	per m²	weekly	as needed
Field crops	5 000 to 10 000	per hectare (2 000 to 4 000 / acre)	14 days/td>	as needed