Temperature effects on development of Orius tantillus ( Het.: Anthocoridae ), A predator of Thrips palmi ( Thys.: Thripidae )

To explore the possibility of using Orius tantillus (Motschulsky) as a control agent against Thrips palmi Karny in greenhouses in Japan during the winter months, the effects of temperature on the development of eggs and nymphs of this predator were determined by rearing individuals under eight constant temperatures ranging from 17.5–35.0°C. Estimates of lower developmental threshold temperatures for eggs, male nymphs and female nymphs were 13.7°C, 11.9°C and 13.4°C, respectively. These estimates were lower than the average winter temperature at night in greenhouses in Japan, suggesting that O. tantillus could possibly be used for the control of T. palmi in such greenhouses. Thermal constants were estimated at 52.6, 185.2 and 153.8 degree days for eggs, male nymphs and female nymphs, respectively. Egg survival at temperatures between 20°C and 30°C was higher ( p =0.05) than at 17.5°C.