Interactions Between Two Polyphagous Predators, Orius majusculus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) and Macrolophus caliginosus (Heteroptera: Miridae).

The mutual predation between two polyphagous predators, Orius majusculus (Reuter) (Hemiptera, Anthocoridae) and Macrolophus caliginosus Wagner (Heteroptera: Miridae), was examined in laboratory experiments with and without presence of Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Adults of O. majusculus preyed upon M. caliginosus in the absence and in some circumstances also in the presence of F. occidentalis , whereas neither nymphs nor adults of M. caliginosus preyed upon O. majusculus. Orius majusculus nymphs did not prey upon M. caliginosus . The predation of O. majusculus on F. occidentalis was unaffected by the presence of M. caliginosus suggesting that the presence of this mirid will not hamper biological control of F. occidentalis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]