Development, Oviposition Rate, Longevity, and Voltinism of Stephanitis pyrioides (Heteroptera: Tingidae), an Adventive Pest of Azalea, at Three Temperatures1

Abstract

Rate of development of the immigrant azalea lace bug, Stephanitis pyrioides (Scott), reared on hybrid evergreen azalea, was measured at three constant temperatures. Egg development across temperatures was nonlinear and ranged from a mean of 11.6 d at 31.7°C to 23 d at 20.6°C. Stadial development rate between instars for both sexes was similar at each temperature. Development of instars across temperature was nonlinear. Third instars required the minimum time for development; this was half the time required for fifth instars, which required the longest time. Adults are nondiapausing, and males lived longer than females when paired independent of temperature. Single males and females lived longer at 20.6°C than single and paired cohorts at 26.1 and 31.7°C. Single males lived as long as 246 d and females 253 d at 20.6°C. Fecundity and average oviposition rate varied nonlinearly with temperature. Presence of the male was found to affect oviposition rate. Postoviposition longevity for females is reported. Overwintered eggs hatch earlier than reported previously, and four generations were determined in Maryland with adults present in early December. The immigrant mirid predator of Stephanitis lace bugs, Stethoconus japonicus Schumacher, was discovered during the study.