Comparative Evaluation of Reactions of the Western Flower Thrips Frankliniella occidentalis Perg. (Thysanoptera, Thripidae) and the Predatory Bug Orius laevigatus Fieber (Heteroptera, Miridae) to Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre Oil.

This paper presents comparative assessment of the reaction of the western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis and the predatory bug Orius laevigatus to the seed oil of Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre. This oil had repellent and toxic effects on the adult and larval thrips, and also reduced the number of laid eggs. The predatory bug O. laevigatus was highly sensitive to P. pinnata oil under various methods of exposure, even at a concentration of 0.75%, which was the lowest concentration effective against the thrips. The observed side effects of the oil on O. laevigatus determine the need either for development of a specific approach for combined use of the oil and this entomophage, or for replacing O. laevigatus with some other predator resistant to P. pinnata oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]