Abstract
The effect of plant feeding on biological aspects of Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) was evaluated. Nymphs and adults of this predator were fed with Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) pupae on Eucalyptus urophylla plants in the field or only with pupae of this prey in the laboratory. The development and nymphal survival, as well as the pre-oviposition period, number of egg masses, number, fertility and viability of eggs and the longevity of females of this predator were evaluated. The eucalyptus plants improved the development of P. nigrispinus. This demonstrates that this predator can present higher population growth with eucalyptus plants and T. molitor pupae than in the laboratory (controlled conditions) only with this prey. These plants can supply nutrients that can the population growth and efficiency of P. nigrispinus for biological control in eucalyptus plantations.
Highlights
The high quantity and low quality of resources in agricultural and forest monocultures can favor a few species that can cause aesthetic, ecological or economical problems in these ecosystems (ZANUNCIO et al, 2000)
This research was developed at the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), in the municipality of Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, with P. nigrispinus on E. urophylla plants and T. molitor pupae in the field or only with this prey in the laboratory
First instar nymphs of P. nigrispinus were obtained from egg masses of the mass rearing facility of the Laboratory of Forest Entomology of the Department of Animal Biology at UFV, where this predator is reared under temperature of 25 ± 2°C, 70 ± 10% of relative humidity and photoperiod of 12 hours
Summary
The high quantity and low quality of resources in agricultural and forest monocultures can favor a few species that can cause aesthetic, ecological or economical problems in these ecosystems (ZANUNCIO et al, 2000). The release of predator insects in agricultural and forest systems represents a critical stage to biological control programs (SILVA et al, 2009), because adverse conditions such as prey shortage can affect their reproductive potential and efficiency. The predatory stinkbug, Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is found across South America to Central America (RODRIGUES et al, 2008). This insect preys on over 30 insect lepdopteran pests (RODRIGUES et al, 2008). The objective was to study biological aspects of the predator Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Hemiptera Pentatomidae) with T. molitor pupae on E. urophylla plants in the field or only with this prey in the laboratory
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