Inheritance and Biological Characterization of an Orange-nymph Mutant in Orius laevigatus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae)

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Orius laevigatus is a widely used predator and is key to the success of biological control programs. The nymphs of this predator are yellowish in all their nymphal stages. A nymph found in a mixture of wild populations did not present a normal coloration, but orange. A laboratory strain carrying this body color mutation ambar was established. The mutation (ambar) was controlled by a single autosomal recessive allele. Biological characteristics of the orange strain were compared with a normal population. The orange strain showed inferior performance in some traits, such as immature survival and development rate. Practical use of the orange mutation as a visible marker for biological and ecological studies of this important biological control agent is discussed. ABSTRACT: A mutation showing a distinct orange color in the nymph stages was found in Orius laevigatus (Fieber) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), a key biological control agent in protected crops, used to control small pests, especially thrips. A laboratory strain carrying this body color mutation ambar was established. Genetic analysis determined that the mutation (ambar) was controlled by a single autosomal recessive allele. Some biological and ecological characteristics of this orange strain were compared to a normal population. Longevity, fecundity and fertility were similar in both populations, but immature survival, development rate, body size, starvation tolerance and predation capacity were inferior in the orange strain. The utility of the orange mutant as a visible marker for biological and ecological studies of this important biological control agent is discussed.