SPATIAL PATTERNS OF AND SAMPLING METHODS FOR ORIUS SPP. (HEMIPTERA: ANTHOCORIDAE) ON GREENHOUSE SWEET PEPPER

Abstract

Intra- and inter-plant spatial patterns were determined for adults and nymphs of Orius insidiosus (Say) and O. tristicolor (White) on greenhouse sweet pepper for three greenhouses using four sampling methods. The population density of the Orius was monitored biweekly for 4 months from May to August using plant tappings, blossoms, plant leaves, and whole plants. The intra-plant spatial patterns of adult and nymphal populations of Orius were aggregated with the majority of the Orius collected from the top one-third of the plant. The inter-plant spatial pattern for the nymphs also was aggregated. However, the adults exhibited a random inter-plant spatial pattern. The accuracy of plant tapping, blossom, and leaf samples was determined for monitoring the adult and nymphal population densities of Orius throughout the growing season. The blossom sampling method for adult Orius was the best sampling method for monitoring the population density of Orius on greenhouse sweet pepper throughout the growing season.