Abstract:  【Aim】 To evaluate the predation capability and biological control potential of the minute pirate bug, Orius sauteri to the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda. 【Methods】 The predatory capacity of the 3rd, 4th and 5th instar nymphs and female adults of O. sauteri on the 1st instar larvae of S. frugiperda were assayed in the laboratory. The Holling-type II model was used to fit the functional response and searching efficiency of O. sauteri on the 1st instar larvae of S. frugiperda. 【Results】 The predation of the 3rd, 4th and 5th instar nymphs and female adults of O. sauteri on the 1st instar larvae of S. frugiperda followed a Holling-type II functional response. The female adults of O. sauteri preying on the 1st instar larvae of S. frugiperda had the highest predation rate, with the a′/T_h value of 15.85 individuals per day, 1/T_h value of 23.26 individuals per day and handling time of 0.043 d, respectively. The 4th instar nymphs of O. sauteri preying on the 1st instar larvae of S. frugiperda had the lowest predation rate, with the a′/T_h value of 10.85 individuals per day. The predation amount of O. sauteri to the 1st instar larvae of S.frugiperda was positively correlated with the prey density, while its searching efficiency was negatively correlated with the prey density. 【Conclusion】 The results indicate that O. sauteri has a good control potential on S. frugiperda. These results provide a theoretical basis for evaluating the potential of O. sauteri as a biological control for S. frugiperda.

Key words: Orius sauteri; Spodoptera frugiperda, biological control, natural enemy insect, predation