Effect of diet, maintenance frequency, and environmental conditions on the rearing of Orius insidiosus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) in Neotropical highlands

To standardize and optimize the mass rearing of Orius insidiosus (Say) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), an important natural enemy of the western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), a method using a production batch system for the rearing of this predator was evaluated. A total of 28 production batches (one batch was defined as a set of cohorts) were evaluated, in which some variables were alternated, such as the rearing conditions (laboratory or greenhouse), type of diet provided ( F. occidentalis individuals alone or with Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), and frequency of maintenance (24 or 48 h). Each batch was monitored by recording parameters necessary for rearing, such as the survival of initial individuals, oviposition, time taken for new adult individuals to develop, and the total production of new adults. It was determined that when using a mixed diet, the production of new adult individuals was 8.4 times greater than when only a single food source was provided. Additionally, the constant conditions of the laboratory resulted in 4.9 times greater production than in the greenhouse and reduced the time required to obtain new individuals by 11.8 days. Further, a 48-h feeding frequency produced 4.2 times more individuals than a 24-h frequency. Control of these parameters will allow the standardization of a batch production process for ensuring the continuation of O. insidiosus production for use in biological control programs.