The effect of prey density and host plant characteristics on oviposition and fertility in Anthocoris confusus (Reuter)

• 1 Anthocoris confusus females show the greatest egg production when fed on eight adult Aulacorthum circumflexus per day. Prey densities below six result in a marked fall off in egg production.
• 2 Low prey densities result in reduced egg fertility and a decrease in oviposition period.
• 3 A.confusus females oviposit on those parts of a broad bean plant which support the highest aphid densities. This increases the probability of survival of the emerging nymphs.
• 4 Females are also able to distinguish between young, fully turgid, plants and older, more flaccid, plants and oviposit preferentially in the younger ones. Thus the eggs develop before the plant dies.