Development and reproduction of Antilochus coqueberti (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae), the specific predator of Dysdercus spp. (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae).

Abstract

The developmental and reproductive characteristics of the pyrrhocorid Antilochus coqueberti, a specific predator of Dysdercus spp., were examined in the laboratory and observed in the field on Ishigaki-jima Island. A. coqueberti fed D. cingulatus exhibited normal development in temperature regimes between 20°C and 30°C and a long photoperiod of 14L–10D, but rearing was unsuccessful under temperature regimes of 15°C and 17.5°C. A lower threshold temperature for development and effective cumulative temperatures for development of the eggs and nymphal stadia were estimated to be 12.9°C and 607.5 degree days, respectively. A. coqueberti did not exhibit reproductive diapause, even when reared under a short photoperiod of 10L–14D. Both the nymphs and adults of A. coqueberti were observed almost all year round on Ishigaki-jima Island. These results indicate the absence of a reproductive diapause provoked by a short photoperiod in this species. High fecundity and the absence of a reproductive diapause are desirable for artificial mass rearing of this insect for use as a predaceous natural enemy against Dysdercus bugs. Temperature regimes between 22.5°C and 27.5°C are recommended for artificial rearing, because of the relatively low mortality seen under these temperature regimes.