Abstract
Abstract Nala lividipes were reared from egg to adult using a loamy sand (sand) and a black cracking clay (clay) at moisture levels of 0, 5, 10 and 20% and 0, 15, 30,40 and 50%, respectively, at 29°C and a 12h: 12h photoperiod. Germinating grain sorghum was used as food. The longevity and fecundity of surviving adults were assessed using the same treatments as they experienced as immatures. Moisture had no influence on the duration of the egg stage. Nymphs took 2 weeks longer to complete development in sand at 5% than in other sand or clay treatments. Life‐table data indicate that population increases are possible when soil moisture is greater than 5% for sand, and at 30% or higher for clay. The most rapid population increases were in clay at 40% and 50% moisture. Equations were developed to predict soil moisture‐dependent survival of nymphs, fecundity of adults and total longevity.
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