DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.76.e186606

Authors: Ahmed H. El Kenawy, Dina A. H. Atwa, Doaa S. AbdelMotaal, Mohammad Ali Abdelhady

Abstract: This study investigates the temperature-dependent development and life table parameters of the predatory bug Orius albidipennis (Reuter, 1884) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) under three constant temperatures (20, 25, and 30°C). Using age–stage, two-sex life table analysis with 15 replicates per temperature, we assessed stage-specific developmental rates, longevity, fecundity, fertility, and population growth metrics. Developmental time decreased significantly with increasing temperature, with total nymphal duration ranging from 18.05 days at 20°C to 9.62 days at 30°C. Optimal reproductive performance occurred at 25°C, where net reproductive rate (R0 = 49.4 female offspring/female), intrinsic rate of increase (r = 0.131 day−1), and egg hatch (86.4%) peaked. Higher temperatures (30°C) reduced fertility (74.9% hatch), fecundity (79.1 eggs/female), and female-biased sex ratios (0.41 vs. 0.51–0.52 at lower temperatures). Critically, while r peaked at 30°C (0.145 day−1), the 48% reduction in R0 indicates that rapid generation turnover cannot compensate for reproductive failure under sustained heat stress. These findings provide methodologically rigorous parameters for optimizing mass-rearing protocols and timing augmentative releases of O. albidipennis in Egyptian greenhouse systems targeting thrips pests under current and future climate scenarios.

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