Thripor I Predatory Bug

Scientific name: Orius insidiosus.

The omnivore insidious flower bug, of the true bugs order Hemiptera, prey on small pest arthropods and their eggs; plant eating mites and their eggs, various insect eggs, soft bodied arthropods including thrips, spider mites, small caterpillars, eggs and new larvae of the bollworm, spotted tobacco aphids, corn earworm, European corn borers (Ostrinia nubilalis), corn leaf aphids (Rhopalosiphum maidis), potato aphids (Macrosiphum euphorbiae), potato leafhopper (Empoasca fabae) nymphs, besides plants and pollen. 

Found on numerous crops, including most deciduous fruits, grapes, alfalfa, cotton, corn, and soybeans, Orius insidiosus are mass reared to be employed in orchards to biologically control populations of the European red mite (Panonychus ulmi), the two spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) and most species of aphids.

Eggs are laid inside plant tissues, where they hatch into nymphs. Several generations may occur during a single growing season. Both nymphs and adults of the minute pirate bug species feed. The adults are voracious predators and exhibit efficient searching behaviour. They gather in areas with abundant prey density, where they able to grow more rapidly. Orius insidiosus seizes its prey using its front legs and then inserts its long beak into the body of the prey several times until the soft body of the host has been emptied, leaving behind the drained exoskeleton. The minute pirate bugs may bite human beings with a harmless though painful sting.

Use for:

• Biological control of thrips.
  
• Natural enemy of the larvae and adults of various thrip species.

Mode of action:

Adults and nymphs pierce thrips larvae and adults with their sucking mouthparts and suck out the contents.

Visually, Orius insidiosus sucks out the body contents of its prey leaving only the empty skin.

Product specifications:

Application:

• Shake bottle gently before use.
  
• S pread material on clean rock wool slabs, leaves and/or in application boxes.
• Apply in groups of at least 50 insects in order to establish a population and encourage mating.
• Make sure the material remains undisturbed at the introduction site for a few hours after application.

Dosage:

The dosage of Thripor I depends on climate, crop and thrips density and should always be adjusted to the particular situation. Start introduction as soon as the first thrips are detected in the crop. Introduction rates typically range from 0.5 to 10 bugs per m2/release. Releases should be repeated once or twice.

Environmental conditions:

• Optimal temperatures for Thripor I are above 20°C / 68°F, lower temperatures slow down the development of Orius insidiosus significantly.
  
• Should be combined with generalist predatory mites.
• Do not use in tomato crops.

Storage:

• Apply as soon as possible after receipt. If necessary, the product can be stored for 1 to 2 days.
• Store at temperatures of 10°C to 15°C / 50°F to 59°F.
• Store in the dark, with the bottle kept horizontally.

Caution:

• Pesticides can have direct or indirect effects on biological solutions.
• Only use products that are permitted in your country or state and crop.