Comparison of area-wide population structure between Orius strigicollis and Orius sauteri (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae)

This study investigated the population structure of predatory bugs belonging to the genus Orius (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), with a specific focus on O. strigicollis and O. sauteri. These insects are promising candidates for biological pest control in agriculture. O. strigicollis has limited distribution in the warmer coastal areas of the western regions of Japan, whereas O. sauteri is more widely distributed. We conducted genetic analyses using microsatellite markers and an isolation-by-distance analysis to understand the potential differences between these two species. We studied 494 individuals from 9 populations in the Chubu region of Japan, where they are sympatrically distributed. A significant positive correlation was observed between geographical distance and genetic differentiation (fixation indices; F_ST) in O. strigicollis, suggesting limited gene flow between populations. Contrastingly, no significant correlation was observed in O. sauteri, indicating a higher gene flow and larger population size. Thus, these results contribute to the development of biological control strategies for these species.