The aim of this research was to record the Orius species present on some crops and weeds in areas located in the southeast region in Brazil, during 1999 and 2000. The insect collections were made through the tapping method to dislodge the insects from the plant into a plastic bag. The identifications of the specimens was done in the laboratory. Orius insidiosus (Say) was collected on the following crops: corn (Zea mays L.), pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.), sorghum (Sorghum spp.), bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum spp.), tango (Solidago canadensis L.) and carthamus (Carthamus tinctorius L.). On weeds, O. insidiosus was found on farmer's friend (Bidens pilosa L.), amaranth (Amaranthus sp.), parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) and Joseph's coat (Alternanthera ficoidea L.). Orius thyestes Herring was found on weed plants farmer's friend, amaranth and Joseph's coat. Orius perpunctatus (Reuter) and Orius sp. were collected mainly on weed plants (farmer's friend, amaranth and Joseph's coat) and corn. Many of these plants are natural hosts for these predators, providing refuge, prey and pollen.
Orius insidiosus; Orius thyestes; Orius perpunctatus; biological control; conservation
