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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Wapato, Washington » Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #331468
Research Project: New Technologies and Strategies to Manage the Changing Pest Complex on Temperate Fruit Trees

Location: Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research

Title: Minute pirate bugs

Author
item Horton, David

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/23/2017
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The minute pirate bugs (Orius) feed primarily on small, soft-bodied arthropods, but may supplement that diet with ingestion of plant fluids. The plant-feeding behavior of the minute pirate bugs has led to anecdotal reports of plant damage and speculation that these insects may occasionally be pests of crops or ornamental plants. A scientist with USDA-ARS, Yakima Agricultural Research Laboratory, Wapato, WA examined evidence that these insects may occasionally damage plants, and concluded that the benefits provided by Orius in controlling plant-feeding pests such as thrips and mites will substantially outweigh any hypothetical damage caused by the plant-feeding activities of these bugs.

Technical Abstract: The minute pirate bugs (Orius) feed primarily on small, soft-bodied arthropods, but may supplement that diet with ingestion of plant fluids. The plant-feeding behavior of the minute pirate bugs has led to anecdotal reports of plant damage and speculation that these insects may occasionally be pests of crops or ornamental plants. This study reviews the evidence that these insects may occasionally damage plants, and concludes that the benefits provided by Orius in controlling plant-feeding pests such as thrips and mites will substantially outweigh any hypothetical damage caused by the plant-feeding activities of these bugs.