Abstract
The biology and life cycle of Pachycoris klugii Burmeister 1835 [Heteroptera: Scutelleridae], a key pest of physic nut Jatropha curcas Linnaeus 1753 [Euphorbiaceae] in Nicaragua, were studied in the field and the laboratory. The species is multivoltine and each female oviposits repeatedly during the rainy season. In the dry season adults go into hiding. Laboratory experiments do not confirm a diapause but indicate a preference for protected, dark habitats. During this phase the adults show no tolerance to food deprivation. Total development time from egg to adult under natural conditions is 40 days. Larval development stages can be distinguished by the width of the head capsule and pronotum. Rearing on a natural diet is possible, and the survival rates obtained were favourable.
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