RESPONSE OF ORIUS INSIDIOSUS (SAY) (HEMIPTERA: ANTHOCORIDAE) ON EUROPEAN RED MITE PANONYCHUS ULMI (TETRANYCHIDAE) ON APPLE

摘要

European Red mite, Panonychus ulmi (Koch) has become most serious pest of apple in India since 1995. It sucks cell sap from leaves and results in poor quality of fruits and also spoils next season crop. Anthocorid bug, Orius insidiosus is its most dominant predator. It appeared in last week of July and reduced 61.5% adults and 76.7% eggs of mite. Temperature of 17.0-17.9 deg C and high humidity of 94-97% favoured bug multiplication. It controlled mite population during its peak period in July-Augustand brought it below the economic threshold level.