Influence of Plant Physical and Anatomical Characteristics on the Ovipositional Preference of (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae).

Natural enemies play an important role in managing insect pests. (Poppius) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), a predator of many soft-body insects, is an important biological control agent in Asia. Understanding this predator's egg-laying preferences and a habitat needs is important for its success in pest control. We investigated the plant acceptability and ovipositional preference of for coriander ( L., Apiales: Apiaceae), marigold ( L., Asterales: Asteraceae), sweet alyssum ( L., Brassicales: Brassicaceae), and alfalfa ( L., Fabales: Fabaceae), and focused on the effects of plant physical and anatomical characteristics on the ovipositional preference of . The results showed that can lay eggs on uninfested plants in the vegetative stage and their eggs hatched normally. females prefer plants with high stomatal density, a large stomatal area, and fewer trichomes as oviposition hosts, and the depth of egg placement was determined by leaf thickness. Our studies suggested that females can select oviposition hosts and specific oviposition sites by assessing the structural qualities of plant surface. Coriander and marigold are potentially suitable host plants for The results aid the selection of cover crops to enhance natural enemies in the fields.