Predatory minute pirate bug, Orius insidiosus for thrip control

Predator of thrips, Orius insidiosus also known as flower bug because it is attracted to flowers. This bug is also known as minute pirate bug and is considered as the most effective predatory insect that voraciously feeds on different species of thrips. Thrips are tiny insects that are known for causing a tremendous damage to many agricultural and horticultural crops, and ornamental plants. Orius insidiosus are considered as true bugs because they belong to an insect order Hemiptera and they have piercing and sucking type of mouthparts called as beak or proboscis. Adult bugs are very small about 2-3 mm long, oval shaped and black colored. They have two pairs of wings with white markings. Females of Orius insidiosus lay about over 150 eggs during their lifespan in plant tissues. Eggs hatch into small first instar (stage) nymphs and develop through 5 instars (stages) and then they become adults (Fig. 1). The instar nymphs of Orius insidiosus are not predatory in nature but all other inst