Evaluation of Montandoniola confusa Streito and Matocq sp. nov. and Orius insidiosus Say (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae), for control of Gynaikothrips uzeli Zimmerman (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) on Ficus benjamina

Since its discovery in Florida in 2003, the weeping fig thrips, Gynaikothrips uzeli Zimmerman has spread rapidly throughout the southeastern United States in shipments of ornamental Ficus benjamina L. Concurrently, there have been reports of an invasive anthocorid, Montandoniola confusa (=moraguesi) Streito and Matocq sp. nov., widely associated with G. uzeli populations in landscape plantings of ornamental Ficus spp. We evaluated M. confusa and a commercially available anthocorid, Orius insidiosus Say, as biological control agents of G. uzeli. Prey preference studies revealed that eggs were the numerically preferred host stage for both predator species (representing 92% and 94% of all prey taken in ‘no choice’ and ‘choice’ tests, respectively). Females of both predator species consumed significantly more eggs than males (83–91 versus 25–35 per 48 h period, respectively), and (in the absence of eggs) also more larvae (4.1–5.5 versus 2.1–2.5). Fecundity of M. confusa was significantly higher than for O. insidious, 10.6 ± 1.5 eggs per 48 h versus 5.0 ± 1.4, respectively. Greenhouse tests on heavily infested F. benjamina revealed that M. confusa was a highly effective predator of G. uzeli. Evaluations with three F. benjamina cultivars showed that M. confusa reproduced throughout the year and reduced thrips populations ⩾95% and leaf galls by up to 77% within 5 weeks. By contrast O. insidiosus did not establish or significantly reduce populations of G. uzeli inside leaf galls. Methods to monitor and protect M. confusa in urban landscapes are discussed.