First Record, Elements For Recognition And Barcoding Of The Predatory Bug, Orius Maxidentex (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), In Senegal

The authors report the first records of the generalist predator Orius (Dimorphella) maxidentex Ghauri, 1972 (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) from different cropping systems in Senegal (West Africa) and propose fast and accurate identification based on morphological traits and molecular analyses. Orius maxidentex is a frequent and abundant predatory bug in Senegalese agro-systems, especially, millet, maize and tomato fields. It is likely to play an important role in regulating the populations of several pests, and its potential involvement in natural pest control in these cropping systems is discussed.