Enhanced Predation by Orius insidiosus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) on Larvae of Heliothis zea and Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Caused by Prey Feeding on Resistant Corn Genotypes

Prey feeding on resistant versus susceptible corn genotypes was investigated for its effect on predation by Orius insidiosus (Say). Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), that fed on fresh foliage of the resistant corn genotype ‘MpSWCB-4’ suffered significantly higher rates of predation by adult O. insidiosus (Say) than did armyworm fed ‘Cacahuacintle,’ a susceptible genotype. Similar results were obtained when corn earworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie), were fed a meridic diet containing silks from ‘Zapalote Chico’ compared with a diet without silks. A type II functional response was exhibited by O. insidiosus preying on fall armyworm but not on corn earworm. Feeding by corn earworm on meridic diets that contained resistant silks increased the age of the prey that were susceptible to attack by the predator.