In order to find the suitable diet for mass rearing of ORIUS ALBIDIPENNIS (REUT.), an experiment was carried out under controlled conditions. Six diets were tested: Eggs of MFM (Mediterranean Flour Moth; Ephestia kuehniella Zeller), MFM eggs + pollen grains, IMM (Indian Meal Moth, Plndia interpunctella Hubner), larvae, IMM larvae + pollen grains, pollen grains alone, and control (without a diet). In this experiment an unbalanced CRD was used and Experimental means were compared using Duncan's multiple rang test. In each replication a total of twenty first ins tar nymphs (24oId) were used. The results showed that, hatching and sex ratio were not affected by the diet. The means of hatching percentages were 84-89% in different treaments. Effects of diets on adult emergence were significantly different with the highest of MFM eggs + pollen grains and IMM larvae + pollen grains. IMM larvae and pollen grains alone had no significant difference. Also, the results showed that nymphs in control couldn't complete their developments. Fecundity was affected by diet with the highest effect of MFM eggs + pollen grains and IMM larvae + pollen grains. When a diet of MFM eggs was supplemented with pollen grains total fecundity was increased by about 30%. Similarly when a diet of IMM larvae supplemented by pollen grains, the total fecundity was increased by about 68%. Females which were fed with pollen grains alone laid four times less eggs than those fed with MFM eggs + pollen grains. The results indicated that MFM eggs + pollen grains and IMM larvae + pollen grains suitable for mass rearing.

Thrips and aphids are important pests in greenhouses, due to transmitting viruses. ORIUS bugs have been proved to be effective predators of these pests, especially in greenhouses. One of the most important factors related to efficiency of predators and parasitoids is their functional response, which refers to the change in the number of prey consumed by a predator per unit time, in relation to prey density. The functional response of adult female of ORIUS ALBIDIPENNIS REUTer to Thrips tabaci Lind and Aphis pomi Degeer were studied in the laboratory conditions (25±2oC, 50±10% RH, 12L: 12D photoperiod), and densities of 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64 adult T. tabaci and A. pomi per petrydish, over 24h. The data provided good fit to Rogers-II functional response model for both preys. Searching efficiency (a) and handling time (Th) were determined 1.517 and 0.068 for T. tabaci; and 1.369 and 0.067 for A. pomi which not significantly different. Finally these results show high efficiency of O. ALBIDIPENNIS for controlling mentioned pests.

In recent years, rearing and releasing of ORIUS bugs to control small pests such as thrips and aphids has been increased. These studies were carried out to investigate the oviposition rate and longevity of adult females of ORIUS ALBIDIPENNIS, fed on three different food regimes (eggs of Sitotroga cerealella in addition to corn pollen, eggs of Sitotroga cerealella in addition to date pollen and Sitotroga cerealella's eggs) and two different oviposition substrates (Bean pod and Geranium leaf) under laboratory conditions (25±2oc, 65±5% RH, 16L: 8D photoperiod). Results showed a significant differance in the mean number of laid eggs under conditions of various food regimes. There was an increase in oviposition rate of O. ALBIDIPENNIS, when fed on Sitotroga cerealeala’s eggs supplemented with corn pollen (82.7±1.76). The longevity of adult females of O. ALBIDIPENNIS was also not significantly different on these three food regimes. The mean number of laid eggs on two different oviposition substrates showed no significant difference; so the both substrates are suitable for rearing O. ALBIDIPENNIS.

A 'worst case' laboratory method was employed for evaluating total effect of four pesticides (imidacloprid, dichlorvos, pymetrozine and abamectin) on the nymphs mortality and adults reproduction in ORIUS ALBIDIPENNIS REUTer (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae). The bioassays were carried out in laboratory using Drum cell method, under controlled conditions of: 27±1oC, RH of 65±5% and 16-h photo phase. The effects of the pesticides were assessed on the N1 stage and determined by the total effect, considering the mortality rate and oviposition reduction in audlts. Toxicity effects were classified according to scale proposed by IOBC. Corrected mortality percentages (Ma) were 75.55±8.59, 50.22±6.34, 32.88±4.81, and 28.28±2.37 for imidacloprid, dichlorvos, abamectin and pymetrozine treated populations, respectively. For the pesticides, mean no of eggs/female (R) were 15.56±7.61, 38.44±15.25, 6.89±5.56, 10.22±5.71. The pesticides' effect on ovipositon (Er) was recorded 0.54±0.24, 1.33±0.49, 0.33±0.29, 0.35±0.16, and while the total effect (E) being 86.76±5.75, 33.82±4.20, 77.92±9.67, 74.94±11.77%, respectively. According to IOBC standards, dichlorvos was classified in class II (slightly harmful), abamectin and pymetrozine, with SE being taken into account, were classified in class II to III (slightly to moderately harmful), whereas imidacloprid standing in class III (moderately harmful). Further investigations are recommended on all of the chemicals, and under semi-field conditions.

The developmental period, prey consumption of different nymph instars, survival, reproduction and longevity of ORIUS ALBIDIPENNIS were studied on three different diets including the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae plus corn pollen; two-spotted spider mite; and eggs of Sitotroga cerealella plus corn pollen under laboratory conditions. Leaves of Pelargonium hortom served as oviposition substrate as well as moisture source. The results showed that developmental periods from egg to adult were significantly higher on eggs of grain moth plus corn pollen than on T.urticae and T. urticae plus corn pollen. The female longevity was significantly higher on grain moth eggs plus corn pollen than on T. urticae plus corn pollen and on T. urticae. There were no significant differences among the three different diets as male longevity was concerned. The survival rates on T.urticae plus corn pollen and on T.urticae were significantly higher than on the eggs of grain moth plus corn pollen. The oviposition period and fecundity rate on grain moth eggs plus corn pollen were significantly higher than on T. urticae plus corn pollen and on T. urticae. Daily egg-laying of O. ALBIDIPENNIS feeding on T. urticae plus corn pollen and on T. urticae were significantly higher than on grain moth eggs plus corn pollen. The sex ratio (the female to whole population ratio) was higher on grain moth eggs plus corn pollen than on the other two diets. The kind of diets didn’t have any effect on premating period, preoviposition period, embryonic development and percent of egg hatching. Results indicated that the bug O. ALBIDIPENNIS can act as the biological control agent against two spotted spider mite and secondly that the eggs of grain moth plus corn pollen constitute a suitable feed for rearing of this predator.

The predatory hug, ORIUS alhidipennis (REUTer) is one of the most important predator on thrips and other arthropods, but this species prefers especially tobacco thrips, Thrips tabaci Lind. Which is a serious pest on many crops such as onion in field and greenhouse crops in Iran.In this research, limited populations of this predatory bug collected from onion fields in Isfahan province, and then transferred to the insectarium for large scale production under laboratory conditions (25±2˚C, 65±5% RH and a 16:8 L/D photoperiod). We used plexiglass boxes for its production in Lab. and Mediterranian flour moth eggs along with corn pollens as food for dit1'erent stages of nymphal development. Bean pods were used as oviposition suhstrate for female hugs. The oviposition substrates were removed at two or three days intervals and then transferred to glass tubes for eclosion of eggs and nymphal growth. All growth stages of the predator were reared for several generations.The average losses (from egg to adult) were 30% during the production. With considering that cach hug consumed about 35.5 eggs of Mediterranian flour moth, it can be concluded that almost 9541hugs may be produced by one gram of Mediterranian flour moth eggs. In mass production, proper shelfing of Lab. or insectarium can reduce the space requirement for insect rearing.

The predatory bug ORIUS ALBIDIPENNIS is one of the most important biological control agents of some orchard, cultivated and ornamental crop pests in Iran. Therefore, determination of its biological characteristics is important. In this research, life table and population parameters of O. ALBIDIPENNIS were investigated in a growth chamber at temperature of 25±1°C, 65±10% relative humidity and a photoperiod of 14:10 (L:D) hours on different developmental stages of Tetranychus urticae. The experiment was carried out using 100 one day old eggs of O. ALBIDIPENNIS and mortality of different developmental stages was estimated daily. The results indicated that age specific mortality of O. ALBIDIPENNIS on different developmental stages of two-spotted spider mite was started from 4th day and increased gradually with regular fluctuations. Life expectancy was increased after emerging of nymphs and then was decreased regularly. Life expectancy was estimated 12.97 and 18.86 days in nymph and adult emerging time, respectively. The gross fecundity rate, gross fertility rate and gross hatch were determined 76.45±0.42, 60.12±2.29 and 0.79, respectively. The mean numbers of eggs per female per day was estimated 4.25 eggs.

The strawberry spider mite, Tetranychus turkestani (Ugarov & Nikolski) is one of the important pests of agricultural crops especially within grean houses. Biology ane life table parameters of ORIUS ALBIDIPENNIS (REUTer) feeding on strawberry spider mite at three different temperatures (20, 25 and 300C) was studied under laboratory conditions. Preimaginal developmental time of this predator at 20, 25 and 300C was 34.54, 16.82 and 11.68 days for females and 31.83, 16.1 and 11.89 days for males, respectively. Preimaginal mortality was 30, 28.12 and 17.25% at above mentioned temperatures, respectively. Sex ratio (female %) was 46, 51 and 48 % at at above mentioned temperatures, respectively. Adult longevity of female and male at 20 and 250C was 26.22 16.7 and 22.43, 13.22 days, respectively. Total egg production of females at two above mentioned temperatures was 50 and 39 eggs, respectively. Intrinsic rate of increase of this predator at two respected temperatures was 0.124 and 0.165, respectively. Generation time of O. ALBIDIPENNIS was 23.59 and 16.37 days, respectively. Our results showed that O. albidinnis has enough potential to control T. turkestani.

Prey-preference of the predatory bug, ORIUS ALBIDIPENNIS REUTer, with predation rate and prey preference tests on the basis of completely randomized design (CRD) and without the replacement of consumed prey was examined under laboratory conditions (25±1°C, 65±5% RH and L16: D8 photoperiod). Results of the predation rate test indicated that the predation of the female predatory bug on the 2nd larvae of onion thrips and the female two-spotted spider mite was 14.8±1.46 and 20±0.7 respectively, showing a significant difference (P < 0.05) between them. In the prey-preference test, the preying of the female predatory bug on the 2nd larvae of onion thrips and the female two-spotted spider mite was 8.4±0.84 and 4.4±0.22 respectively. The Manly preference index (a) of the 2nd larvae of onion thrips (prey I) and the female two-spotted spider mite (prey II) was 0.8±0.09 and 0.2±0.03 respectively, which demonstrated that the predatory bug more preferred the 2nd larvae of onion thrips than the two-spotted spider mite. Both tests were repeated for the male predatory bug in similar conditions. In the predation rate test, the results from the preying of the male predatory bug on the 2nd larvae of onion thrips and the female two-spotted spider mite was 11±1.58 and 12±1.22 respectively, showing no significant difference. In the prey-preference test, consumption of the male predatory bug from the 2nd larvae of onion thrips was 3.3±0.13 and from the female two-spotted spider mite was 3.2±0.17. In this experiment, the Manly preference index (a) of the 2nd larvae of onion thrips (prey I) and the female two-spotted spider mite (prey II) was 0.52±0.03 and 0.48±0.05 respectively. According to these data, the male predatory bug showed no preference for either prey species.

ORIUS ALBIDIPENNIS REUTer is an important predator of economic pests in greenhouse. In this studu, investigations were performed on toxicity values of abamectin, spinosad and chlorpyrifos in laboratory (Petri dish) and greenhouse (clip cage) conditions. LC50 and LC90 values were determined to both sexes, male and female, by using SAS software, and comparisons were made according to ratio of LC50 values and 95% confidence limits. For males, toxicity of the insecticides was more than females in laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Toxicity rates were significantly different between the insecticides. Chlorpyrifos had the most toxicity in laboratory (LC50=0.06 ppm for males and LC50= 0.05 ppm for females) and greenhouse conditions (LC50=83 ppm for males and LC50= 99.3 ppm for females) and spinosad had the least one. Laboratory and greenhouse trials showed that toxicities of these insecticides were lower in greenhouse bioassay than in laboratory bioassay but this difference was notable for spinosad. It is concluded that multiple testing methods should be used in evaluating the effects of pesticides on beneficial arthropods.