Predation preference and nutritional values of four different aphid species for Orius sauteri (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae)

Background Orius sauteri (Poppius) is one of the important natural enemies of aphids in Asia. Understanding its predation preference and efficiency can help improve its effectiveness as a biological control agent. Here, the predation preference of O. sauteri adults toward Aphis craccivora Koch, Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch), Myzus persicae Sulzer, and Aphis gossypii Glover was studied. Results The research found that O. sauteri had good predation efficiency on four important aphid species. Orius sauteri killed a similar number of four aphids in non-selective tests, but it preferred to eat more R. maidis and A. gossypii , and fewer A. craccivora in selective tests. The main biochemical components of the four aphid species were analyzed, including water content and nutritional components along with body mass. Rhopalosiphum maidis had a significantly lower water content than A. craccivora . Orius sauteri preferred R. maidis and A. gossypii , which harbored higher lipid and trehalose content, while preying on fewer A. craccivora , which had a larger body weight for the supplement of water and nutrition. The predation preference may be due to the closest nutrition composition to the optimal intake of O. sauteri . Conclusions This study showed that the predatory selection of O. sauteri was closely associated with the water content, bodyweight, lipid, and trehalose levels of prey, while the glycogen content and protein level might be less determinant. The high predation capacity on four aphids of O. sauteri indicated the great potential to integrate this predator into biological control strategies against aphids.