Comparative evaluation of reactions of the western ﬂ ower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis Perg. (Thysanoptera, Thripidae) and predatory bug Orius laevigatus Fieber (Heteroptera, Miridae) to Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre oil
The results of a comparative assessment of the reaction of the western ﬂower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis and the predatory bug Orius laevigatus to oil from seeds of Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre are presented. The use of P. pinnata oil had a repellent and toxic eﬀect on the thrips adults and larvae, and also reduced the number of laid eggs. Orius laevigatus was highly sensitive to P. pinnata oil (even at the minimum eﬀective concentration for thrips 0.75%) under various methods of exposure. The side eﬀect of the oil on O. laevigatus revealed by us necessitates the development of tactics for the combined use of the oil and this entomophage or replacing Orius with another predator that is not susceptible to oil.