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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #235346
Title: Corrected species identification of the predator Orius pumilio (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) in a research colony

Author
item Shapiro, Jeffrey
item Ferkovich, Stephen

Submitted to: Florida Entomologist
Publication Type: Research Notes
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/7/2009
Publication Date: 8/1/2009
Citation: Shapiro, J.P., Ferkovich, S.M. 2009. Corrected species identification of the predator Orius pumilio (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) in a research colony. Florida Entomologist. 92:399.

Interpretive Summary: Species that look nearly alike are sometimes confused. Scientists at the USDA-ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL, have reported on the nutritional and reproductive biology of predatory minute pirate bugs reared in a research colony since 2002. They were originally identified as Orius insidiosus (Say). We have now identified the species in our colony as Orius pumilio (Champion), and not O. insidiosus as previously reported. Conclusive identification on the basis of coloration and male genitalia was confirmed from vouchered specimens.

Technical Abstract: Our laboratories have reported on the predatory minute pirate bugs (Family Anthocoridae) in a research colony that was obtained in December 2002. The species was originally thought to be Orius insidiosus (Say) However, specimens from the colony were identified as O. pumilio (Champion) by T. Lewis (USDA, ARS, Wapato, WA) in April, 2008, not O. insidiosus as previously reported in the publications listed above.