Reproductive performance and mating behavior of the predatory bug, Anthocoris minki Dohrn, 1860 (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae)

Anthocoris minki Dohrn, 1860 (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) is a potential predator for biological control of the pistachio psyllid, Agonoscena pistaciaeBurckhardt & Lauterer, 1989 (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) in pistachio orchards. This study aimed to examine the impact of mating behavior on the reproductive output of A. minki. The study was conducted under the laboratory conditions in 2015 at Harran University. Males and females of A. minkiused in the experiments were obtained from laboratory-reared population and female mating behavior and fertilization capacity of males were investigated. In the multiple mating, matings made after the first copulation had an adverse effect on egg deposition. Mated females deposited significantly fewer eggs in the presence of males than in their absence. Male fertilization capability was evaluated by enabling a single virgin male to mate sequentially with three virgin females in different intervals between mating events. Regardless of thelength of interval between mating events, the number of eggs laid by the first-mated female was significantly greater than the number of eggs laid by the second- or third-mated females. The study suggests that achievement of economic and large-scale rearing of A. minkican be done if the post-mating interactions that negatively influence the female reproduction and longevity are understood and handled appropriately