Development and Survival of Podisus maculiventris (Say) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), A Predator of the Colorado Potato Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Abstract

The Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), was evaluated as prey for the spined soldier bug, Podisus maculiventris (Say), in the laboratory using development and survival rates of the immature predator stages as criteria. There were no differences in predator development or survival due to CPB host plant. Compared to three other larval insect hosts, the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (L.); Mexican bean beetle, Epilachna varivestis Mulsant; and the eastern tent caterpillar, Malacosoma americanum (Fabr.), the CPB was found to be a suboptimal host. Computer simulation showed a large developmental advantage of the CPB over this predator under field conditions in an average Rhode Island spring.