We developed a technique of simultaneously releasing adults and eggs of Orius strigicollis to enhance its early establishment in greenhouses. We first sought suitable oviposition substrates and alternative diets for O. strigicollis adults. Among three species of plants examined as oviposition substrates, the hatchability of eggs was best on Sedum rubrotinctum shoots. Fresh honey was as effective as the eggs of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller, a conventional diet, in increasing the longevity of O. strigicollis adults, indicating that fresh honey can be used as an alternative diet for O. strigicollis. At least one shoot of S. rubrotinctum must be provided per two O. strigicollis females to obtain eggs effectively. About 1,100 eggs were obtained from one bottle of O. strigicollis (Tairiku®, 250 adults) when they were reared with S. rubrotinctum shoots and fresh honey for three days. The number of O. strigicollis offspring found on sweet peppers was increased when eggs of O. strigicollis were released with adults at the same time, suggesting that the simultaneous release of eggs and adults of O. strigicollis was effective in enhancing its early establishment.
