Print PageFor many animals, the early stages of development suffer the greatest mortality. In the absence of parental care, selection of a suitable habitat is one of the few things an adult can do to increase the survival of its young. If indicators of habitat quality are unreliable, individuals may use previous experience through natal habitat preference induction (NHPI) to choose an appropriate site. This study examines this process in the minute pirate bug (Orius tristicolor). This species has been shown to learn environmental cues, has an extensive range of potential hosts, and appears to have some preference/performance mismatches in the plants on which it oviposits. In addition, it is an economically important biological control agent of pest insects. This study addresses the questions: What is the extent of NHPI in Orius tristicolor? Are these effects independent of host quality? Populations of O. tristicolor were reared on tomato plants (Solanaceae) and Lima beans (Fabaceae), then assessed for oviposition preference between their natal plant and cotton (Malvaceae), with which individuals had no previous experience. Egg number, hatch rate, and offspring survival to adulthood were used to assess performance on the host plant.
Results/Conclusions
Preliminary results show some evidence of natal habitat preference induction in this species, although there is variation between host plants. This work is the starting point for an exploration of the plastic and heritable components of host preference in this species, with NHPI as a potential bridge between learned and innate behaviors. In addition, this work has practical implications for rearing O. tristicolor for release in agro-ecosystems and maintaining populations in systems with crop rotation.
