Seasonal Prevalence and Species Composition of Orius spp. on Peanuts and ‘Edamame’ Cultivated in a Reserch Field at Meiji University Ikuta Campus

Abstract

We investigated the seasonal prevalence and species composition of Orius spp., which are important natural enemies of various small insect pests, and their prey thrips in a research field of peanut and ‘edamame’(immature soybean) in Kawasaki City, Japan. The populations of O. sauteri tended to occur earlier on ‘edamame’and be maintained for longer on peanut. Since the prevalence of thrips of the genus Frankliniella were similar to Orius spp., it was suggested that it contributes to the maintenance of the population of Orius spp as a food source. These results provide important basic information for conservation biological control (CBC) in the area.