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Oviposition preference of Anthocoris nemoralis and A. nemorum (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) on pear leaves affected by leaf damage, honeydew and prey

Anthocorids are important predators of insect pests in pome fruit. Their choice of oviposition site determines the later distribution of nymphs. In two-choice experiments it was tested whether A. nemorum and A. nemoralis would show oviposition preference with regard to simulated insect damage, mimicked by piercing leaves with a fine pin, and whether the oviposition preference of A. nemoralis was affected by the presence of honeydew or eggs of their prey C. pyri. Leaves with simulated damage were preferred by A. nemoralis, but this was not the case for A. nemorum. Honeydew-treated leaves attracted more oviposition than honeydew-free leaves. On honeydew-treated leaves significantly more eggs were laid on the surface where honeydew had been applied, rather than the opposite. When C. pyri eggs were placed along the abaxial midvein, prey infestation attracted more oviposition. On the infested leaf more eggs were laid near the prey along the abaxial midvein than along the adaxial midvein. In contrast, when prey was placed along the adaxial midvein, no overall preference was found for prey-infested leaves, but on infested leaves, more eggs were laid near the prey along the adaxial midvein than along the abaxial midvein. Results showed that prey cues and presence of prey guide predator oviposition, even within the single leaf. The perspectives for biological control in orchards are discussed.