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Abstract
The daily reproductive rate of Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) fed with Alabama argillacea (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae was studied at constant temperatures of 20, 23, 25, 28, 30 and 33±0.2°C, relative humidity of 60±10% and photoperiod of L:D 14:10. Daily reproductive rate of P. nigripinus was affected by age of this predator. Each P. nigrispinus female laid 5.3 (20°C) to 19.9 eggs/day (28°C) which developed into 4.3–16.5 nymphs, respectively. Highest daily reproductive rate of P. nigrispinus was recorded at 28 and 30°C for 5–30-day-old females. This predator showed higher daily reproductive rate than its prey A. argillacea at 25°C. It was also able to reproduce at temperatures from 20 to 33°C with maximum daily reproductive rate between 25 and 30°C. These results are important for optimizing mass rearing of P. nigrispinus in the laboratory.
To Michael Carlson, of the B.C. Forest Service, Canada, and Tom Groot (University of Amsterdam) for reviewing the manuscript. To the Brazilian agencies ‘Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)’, ‘Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)’ and ‘Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG)’.