Life table parameters of the predatory bug Orius laevigatus (Fieber) [Hemiptera: Anthocoridae] preying upon the tobacco whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) [Homoptera: Aleyrodidae] on tomato host plant under constant conditions

Abstract

The current study described the life table characteristics of the predatory bug Orius laevigatus preying upon the tobacco whitefly Bemisia tabaci infestation offered on tomato leaf discs under laboratory constant conditions of 26 ± 1°C, 75 ± 5% R.H. and 16 L:8 D photoperiod regime. Average life table parameters of O. laevigatus were calculated for two successive generations as: intrinsic rate of increase (Rm): 0.12; gross reproductive rate (GRR): 46 insects/female/generation; net reproduction rate (Ro): 20 females/female/generation; finite rate of increase (λ): 1.12 females/female/day; mean generation time (T): 25.7 days; and doubling time (DT): 6 days. Those parameters indicated that O. laevigatus has the potential to be used as a predator against B. tabaci and that this predator would likely be able to overcome populations of B. tabaci on tomato plantation in greenhouses under the conditions similar to those used in this study. This is the first publication, recording the life table parameters of O. laevigatus when used as natural enemy against B. tabaci infestation of tomato.