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Abstract
Investigations into the effect of prey type and quantity on the reproduction, development, and survival of Pacific damsel bug, Nabis kinbergii (Reuter) were conducted in the laboratory. The duration of development from egg to adult at 27–28°C was 20.9, 22.5, and 20.9 days when supplied with Australian crop mirid (Sidnia kinbergi (Stal)), pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris), and diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella (L.)) as prey, respectively. On average, adult female Pacific damsel bugs lived longer (58.6 days) and laid more eggs (794) when fed with diamondback moth larvae than when fed with either Australian crop mirid or pea aphid. Minimum food requirements for survival were low as adult females survived for 2 months when supplied only one pea aphid every 4 days. Maximum longevity was achieved when one pea aphid was consumed per day and beyond this level of consumption no increase in longevity occurred. The rate of reproduction was positively correlated with the rate of feeding, but the rate of consumption did not increase proportionately with numbers of pea aphids supplied.