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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Maricopa, Arizona » U.S. Arid Land Agricultural Research Center » Pest Management and Biocontrol Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #306851
Title: Minute bug with enormous impacts on insect pests

Author
item BROWN, L - University Of Arizona
item MOSTAFA, A - University Of Arizona
item VANDERVOET, T - University Of Arizona
item FOURNIER, A - University Of Arizona
item ELLSWORTH, P - University Of Arizona
item Naranjo, Steven

Submitted to: University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/26/2014
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Minute pirate bugs (Orius spp.) are common and abundant insect predators that can be found in cotton and many other field crops in Arizona and the western U.S. They are important predators of a variety of insect and mite pests in western crops and can help to suppress pest populations and thus contribute to a reduction in insecticide applications. This short extension bulletin describes the biology and ecology of this predator and also provides information on how to identify it in the field. Minute pirate bugs are key predators of sweet potato whitefly, an important pest in cotton and vegetable crops in Arizona. This bulletin also explains how the abundance of minute pirate bugs can be used to aid growers and pest control advisor when they make decisions about the need for pest control actions. Consideration of this important predator may reduce insecticide use and also reduce the risk of insecticide application decisions, potentially save growers money by increasing yield and reducing control costs.

Technical Abstract: Minute pirate bugs (Orius spp.) are common and abundant insect predators that can be found in cotton and many other field crops in Arizona and the western U.S. They are important predators of a variety of insect and mite pests in western crops and can help to suppress pest populations and thus contribute to a reduction in insecticide applications. This short extension bulletin describes the biology and ecology of this predator and also provides information on how to identify it in the field. Minute pirate bugs are key predators of sweetpotato whitefly, an important pest in cotton and vegetable crops in Arizona. This bulletin also explains how the abundance of minute pirate bugs can be used to aid growers and pest control advisor when they make decisions about the need for pest control actions. Consideration of this important predator may reduce insecticide use and also reduce the risk of insecticide application decisions, potentially save growers money by increasing yield and reducing control costs.