Female Bugs Research Articles

Developmental Times and Age-Specific Life Tables for Lygus lineolaris (Heteroptera: Miridae), Reared at Multiple Constant Temperatures

Developmental times and survivorship of tarnished plant bug nymphs, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), and longevity and reproduction of adult tarnished plant bug adults reared on green beans were studied at multiple constant temperatures. The developmental time for each life stage and the total time from egg to adult decreased with increasing temperature. Eggs required the longest time to develop followed by fifth instars and then first-instars. Total developmental time from egg to adult was shortest at 32°C, requiring 18.0 ± 0.3 d and 416.7 ± 31.3 DD above 7.9°C, the estimated minimum temperature for development from egg to adult. Sex did not affect total developmental times and did not affect median survival time. Adults lived significantly fewer days at high temperatures (30-32°C: 17-19 d) compared with temperatures below 30°C (range: 24.5-39.4 d) and the number of eggs laid per day increased from ≈ 4 at 18°C to a maximum of 9.5 eggs per day at 30°C. Total egg production over the lifetime of female tarnished plant bugs increased with temperature reaching a maximum of 175 eggs on average at 27°C, total egg production declined at temperatures above 27°C (30°C: 110.8, 32°C: 77.3 eggs per female). The highest net reproductive rate 74.5 (R(0)) was obtained from insects maintained at 27°C. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r(m)) increased linearly with temperature to a maximum value of 0.1852 at 30°C, and then decreased at 32°C. Generation and doubling times of the population were shortest at 30°C, 21.0 and 3.7 d, respectively.

The Sexual Behaviour of Chagas' Disease Vectors: Chemical Signals Mediating Communication between Male and Female Triatomine Bugs

Chemical communication mechanisms that mediate sexual behaviour in triatomine bugs are reviewed with regard to source, identity, and function of sex pheromones. Males attempt to copulate but may be rejected, depending on female age and nutritional status. Triatomine males locate partners through sex pheromones emitted by the metasternal glands (MGs) of females. These activate males, inducing them to leave their refuges and initiate flight. Wandering males display anemotactic orientation modulated by chemical signals emitted from female MGs. Analyses of the MG secretions of several species resulted in the identification of numerous ketones, acetals, and alcohols. Occlusion experiments showed that Brindley’s gland products were not required for mating. Metasternal gland volatiles are emitted by virgin male and female bugs, with detection over females occurring more consistently, especially during the early scotophase, suggesting female calling behaviour. Mating triatomine females have been reported to attract males that tend to copulate successively with them. Mating males prolong mating and postcopulatory mate guarding in the presence of other males. This is indicative of a polyandrous mating system in several triatomine species. Its potential advantages remain unknown, and comparative studies are required to increase our understanding of triatomine reproductive strategies.

Effect of Different Temperatures and Host Plants on the Biology of the Long-Tailed Mealy Bug Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni and Tozzetti) (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae)

Experiments were done to determine the effects of different temperature levels and three host plants namely, Cucurbita moschata (butternut squashes), Solanum tuberosum var. Desiree (red potato), and Solanum tuberosum var. Cara (white potato) on the biology of mealy bug Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni and Tozzetti). It was found that the temperature had a significant effect on the development period of both male and female mealy bugs. For males the period decreased with increasing temperatures up to 28 °C, but increased thereafter and host plant had no effect, except at 24 °C. All the aspects of females including total pre-adult, prelarviposition, larviposition period, life span, fecundity and sex ratio were affected by the fluctuating temperatures, but host plant produced no effect on fecundity and sex ratio.

Capture of Triatoma arthurneivai (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) using a new luminous trap in Southeast Brazil

Triatomine bug captures in the wild are laborious and time-consuming. Some traps may assist in this task. We report a new trap design and the capture of a specimen of a triatomine rarely found. Two luminous traps were installed in the city of Diamantina, State of Minas Gerais, and surveyed weekly for a year. A Triatoma arthurneivai female and other triatomine bugs were caught. A new trap design may be used in triatomine bugs field captures, mainly in low density areas. We assume the center of endemism of Triatoma arthurneivai is the Espinhaço Mountain range.

BIOLOGY OF A PREDATORY BUG, CANTHECONA FUR CANTHECONA FURCELLATA WOLFF. (HEMIPTER (HEMIPTERA : PENTATOMIDAE) ON POPLAR DEF TOMIDAE) ON POPLAR DEFOLIATOR, CLOSTER CLOSTERA FULGURITA WALKER (LEPIDOPTERA : NOTODONTIDAE) (LEPIDOPTERA : NOTODONTIDAE)

The pentatomid bug, Canthecona furcellata Wolff. (Hemiptera : Pentatomidae) is predator of many lepidopterous pests. The nymphal period of C. furcellata was 14.1 days and the adult longevity of male and female were 16.8 and 24.7 days respectively. The nymphal period and adult longevity of Canthecona furcellata is long. So they reduce the population of Clostera fulgurita walk (Lepidoptera : Notodontidae) to its regular presence in poplar nurseries and plantations. The fecundity of female bug of C. furcellata with on an average is 317.6 eggs per female. The egg laying capacity of its bug is also good for minimizing the population of C. fulgurita. The size of eggs, pre-copulation, copulation period, duration of fecundity and sex ratio were also studied.

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF APHIDS BY THE PREDATORY MIDGE APHIDOLETES APHIDIMYZA IN THE PRESENCE OF INTRAGUILD PREDATORY BUGS AND THRIPS

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF APHIDS BY THE PREDATORY MIDGE APHIDOLETES APHIDIMYZA IN THE PRESENCE OF INTRAGUILD PREDATORY BUGS AND THRIPS

Plant-mediated decisions by an herbivore affect oviposition pattern and subsequent egg parasitism

Natural enemies are important mortality factors for herbivores and thus may influence herbivore population dynamics. In response to natural enemy pressure, herbivores can alter life history decisions, such as oviposition behavior, so that offspring are protected from natural enemies. One such strategy is to deposit eggs into structures where vulnerability to natural enemies is reduced or eliminated, i.e., use enemy-free space. The plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), is native to North America and has a broad host range (>350 plant species), including crops. This bug’s eggs are attacked by a native parasitoid, Anaphes iole Girault, and parasitism levels vary greatly among host plant species. Weed hosts are critical to contemporary L. lineolaris life history because they serve as an ecological bridge from one crop growing season to the next. We investigated the egg distribution pattern of L. lineolaris on 11 host plant species (nine weeds and two crops), and parasitism by A. iole, to determine whether oviposition choices by L. lineolaris females protect their eggs from parasitism and to demonstrate the mechanism of this protection. Our results indicate that the reproductive structures of Erigeron annuus, as well as those of several other host plant species, provide a refuge from parasitism for most L. lineolaris eggs. This refuge is due to the deposition of host eggs deeper in plant tissue than the length of the ovipositor of A. iole. Also, overall parasitism levels were greater on non-Asteraceae host plant species compared with host plant species belonging to Asteraceae. Oviposition site choice by female bugs appears to be a selective strategy to take advantage of enemy-free space.

Influence of Corn on Stink Bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in Subsequent Crops

In southeastern United States farmscapes, corn, Zea mays L., is often closely associated with peanut, (Arachis hypogaea L.), cotton, (Gossypium hirsutum L.), or both. The objective of this 3-yr on-farm study was to examine the influence of corn on stink bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), Nezara viridula (L.), and Euschistus servus (Say), in subsequent crops in these farmscapes. Adults of both stink bug species entered corn first, and seasonal occurrence of stink bug eggs, nymphs, and adults indicated that corn was a suitable host plant for adult survival and nymphal development to adults. Stink bug females generally oviposited on cotton or peanut near the interface, or common boundary, of the farmscape before senescence of corn, availability of a new food, or both. Adult stink bugs dispersed from crop to crop at the interface of a farmscape in response to senescence of corn, availability of new food, or both. In corn-cotton farmscapes, adult stink bugs dispersed from senescing corn into cotton to feed on bolls (fruit). In corn-peanut farmscapes, adult stink bugs dispersed from senescing corn into peanut, which apparently played a role in nymphal development in these farmscapes. In the corn-cotton-peanut farmscape, stink bug nymphs and adults dispersed from peanut into cotton in response to newly available food, not senescence of peanut. Stink bug dispersal into cotton resulted in severe boll damage. In conclusion, N. viridula and E. servus are generalist feeders that exhibit edge-mediated dispersal from corn into subsequent adjacent crops in corn-cotton, corn-peanut, and corn-peanut-cotton farmscapes to take advantage of suitable resources available in time and space for oviposition, nymphal development, and adult survival. Management strategies for crops in this region need to be designed to break the cycle of stink bug production, dispersal, and expansion by exploiting their edge-mediated movement and host plant preferences.

Multiple traumatic insemination events reduce the ability of bed bug females to maintain water balance

To examine how traumatic insemination, a wounding process to females inflicted by males during copulation, reduces the longevity of females of the bedbug, Cimex lectularius, we assessed if multiple bouts of mating impact water relations of females by measuring net transpiration water loss rates. Our studies show that net transpiration rate of females correlates with frequency of mating (small increase after exposure to low numbers of males; large increase after exposure to large numbers of males), and this is reflected by reduced female survivorship for as much as 22 days at 75% RH, 25°C. Water loss occurs up to 28% more rapidly in females after being held with large groups of males. Females that were exposed to males having their paramere removed, females exposed only to other females, and females kept in isolation (unmated) exhibited no reduction in ability to retain water, indicating that traumatic insemination was responsible for the net transpiration rate increase. Mechanical piercing of the female's abdominal wall leads to increased net transpiration rates for longer periods than puncturing the ectospermalege (regular mating site), implying that inaccurate copulation by males is extremely detrimental to the water balance of females and that the ectospermalege is uniquely modified to seal off more quickly to prevent excess water loss. Mating frequency and the associated increased water loss is considerably reduced by the addition of bed bug alarm pheromone components. Thus, females experience elevated water stress due to traumatic insemination, especially at high levels and when males fail to pierce the ectospermalege, and water loss prevention, likely by more rapid sealing of the wound, is a novel function of the ectopsermalege.

Response of a parasitoid fly, Gymnosoma rotundatum (Linnaeus) (Diptera: Tachinidae) to the aggregation pheromone of Plautia stali Scott (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and its parasitism of hosts under field conditions

We studied the attraction of a tachinid fly, Gymnosoma rotundatum (Linnaeus) to the male-produced aggregation pheromone of the brown-winged green bug, Plautia stali Scott, its parasitism on the bug, and its seasonal occurrence in the field. The tachinid fly was continuously attracted to the aggregation pheromone from spring to autumn and utilized the bugs as hosts. Our field experiment to clarify the effect of the pheromone on parasitism demonstrated that parasitism occurred only in female bugs baited with synthetic aggregation pheromone and did not occur in females without the pheromone. The parasitoid flies therefore appeared to use the bug’s pheromone as a host-finding kairomone. The pheromone attracted not only female flies but also males. Male flies may increase their chance of encountering pheromone-attracted females by waiting near pheromone sources. The tachinid develops multiple generations in active hosts from spring to autumn and overwinters in dormant hosts. Thus, G. rotundatum seems to be highly adapted to using P. stali as its host, and it is a potentially important biological control agent of P. stali populations in the field.

Host Sex Discrimination by an Egg Parasitoid on Brassica Leaves

Egg parasitoids are able to find their hosts by exploiting their chemical footprints as host location cues. In nature, the apolar epicuticular wax layer of plants that consists of several classes of hydrocarbons serves as the substrate that retains these contact kairomones. However, experiments on chemical footprints generally have used filter paper as substrate to study insect behavior. Here, we explored the ability of Trissolcus basalis (Scelionidae) females to discriminate between footprint cues left by male and female Nezara viridula (Pentatomidae) on leaves of their host plant Brassica oleracea (broccoli). Furthermore, we analyzed the chemical composition of the outermost wax layer of broccoli leaves to evaluate the degree of overlap in insect and plant cuticular hydrocarbons that could lead to masking effects in the detection of footprint cues. Our results showed that B. oleracea epicuticular wax retains the chemical footprints of adult bugs and allows T. basalis females to differentiate hosts of different sex. Traces of female bugs elicited more extensive searching behavior in egg parasitoids than traces of males. The application of n-nonadecane, a compound specific to male N. viridula, on the tarsi of female bugs prevented parasitoid females from distinguishing between host male and host female footprints. Analyses of B. oleracea leaves revealed that epicuticular waxes were mainly composed of linear alkanes, ketones, and secondary alcohols. Alkanes were dominated by n-nonacosane (nC29) and n-hentriacontane (nC31), while male-specific n-nonadecane (nC19) was absent. The ecological significance of these results for parasitoid host location behavior is discussed.

Análisis morfométrico de Panstrongylus geniculatus de Caracas, Venezuela

Introduction. In recent years, the assassin bug, Panstrongylus geniculatus, has been found infected with Trypanosoma cruzi in rural and urban areas of Caracas, Venezuela. Although historically this insect has been considered a forest species, it has become adapted to more urban artificial environments. Objective. The presence of sexual dimorphism was determined as an indicator of adaptation to domicilies. Material and methods. By Generalized Procrustes Analysis (GPA) and Elliptical Fourier Analysis (EFA), the isometric size and shape of wings, head and pronotums of P. geniculatus was assessed for actively and passively captured specimens. These were collected within domiciles in urban areas of Petare and Altagracia in Caracas City, and from rural or wild environments of Sanare in Andres Eloy Blanco in the state of Lara. Results. Sexual dimorphism was observed in the Sanare specimens, with female wings consistently larger than male wings. Similarly, female wings and heads from bugs captured in Caracas were smaller than those of female bugs captured in Sanare. No significative differences in the conformation of the pronotum were found between male and female bugs. Conclusions. Based on the assumption that the sexual dimorphism of bugs is reflected by smaller size in domesticated triatomines than in wild bugs, the conclusion is that Caracas P. geniculatus has become adapted to living indoors. This represents an additional risk factor for the Chagas disease transmission in Caracas.

Are there costs in the repeated mating activities of female Southern stink bugs Nezara viridula?

Mating is an energy demanding process, imposing risks to physical injuries, pathogen infection and predation. Nevertheless, repeated and multiple mating are widespread even in insect species where nuptial gifts are not involved. The effects of repeated mating, by the same male, are examined on the reproductive performance of female Southern green stink bug Nezara viridula (L.). Fecundity is reduced in females mated three or four times, although there is increased longevity. Females mated once or twice produce more egg clusters and concentrate egg‐laying activity in the early part of adult life, whereas those mating more often lay eggs throughout the life span, with fewer egg clusters. Although fecundity is negatively affected by the number of matings, egg fertility remains unaffected.

Morphometric analysis of Panstrongylus geniculatus (Heteroptera: Reduviidae) from Caracas City, Venezuela

In recent years, the assassin bug, Panstrongylus geniculatus, has been found infected with Trypanosoma cruzi in rural and urban areas of Caracas, Venezuela. Although historically this insect has been considered a forest species, it has become adapted to more urban artificial environments. The presence of sexual dimorphism was determined as an indicator of adaptation to domiciles. By Generalized Procrustes Analysis (GPA) and Elliptical Fourier Analysis (EFA), the isometric size and shape of wings, head and pronotums of P. geniculatus was assessed for actively and passively captured specimens. These were collected within domiciles in urban areas of Petare and Altagracia in Caracas City, and from rural or wild environments of Sanare in Andres Eloy Blanco in the state of Lara. Sexual dimorphism was observed in the Sanare specimens, with female wings consistently larger than male wings. Similarly, female wings and heads from bugs captured in Caracas were smaller than those of female bugs captured in Sanare. No significative differences in the conformation of the pronotum were found between male and female bugs. Based on the assumption that the sexual dimorphism of bugs is reflected by smaller size in domesticated triatomines than in wild bugs, the conclusion is that Caracas P. geniculatus has become adapted to living indoors. This represents an additional risk factor for the Chagas disease transmission in Caracas.

Monitoring the Neotropical brown stink bug Euschistus heros (F.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) with pheromone‐baited traps in soybean fields

AbstractThe effectiveness of the synthetic sex pheromone of the Neotropical brown stink bug, Euschistus heros, was evaluated both in laboratory and in field assays. Lures loaded with 1 mg of methyl 2,6,10‐trimethyltridecanoate (TMTD) continuously attracted female bugs for more than 30 days to pheromone‐baited traps in field trials. The pheromone‐baited traps were effective in field tests even at low bug population densities, as compared with the usual monitoring technique, shake cloth sampling. Traps around borders or in the centre of soybean fields caught similar numbers of bugs. Trap captures showed a positive relationship with field populations, as monitored with the shake cloth technique, during the reproductive phase of the soybean crop, i.e. from the R1–R5 developmental stage (pod formation to pod fill). The physiological state of the trapped migrating insects was determined. The first insects arriving in the field had fewer eggs in the reproductive tract compared to later arrivals. Some cross‐attraction was also observed, with Piezodorus guildinii and Edessa meditabunda also being caught in pheromone‐baited traps, suggesting that these insects respond to the sex pheromone or to the defensive compounds released by E. heros captured in traps. In brief, the results showed that traps baited with 1 mg of the sex pheromone efficiently caught bugs, that the lures lasted for more than 1 month under field conditions and that placement of traps around the borders of the crop area was as effective as placement inside the crop area. Border‐placed traps were effective at a density of one trap every 200 m.

Composition and Abundance of Stink Bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in Corn

The species composition and abundance of stink bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in corn, Zea mays L., was determined in this on-farm study in Georgia. Seven species of phytophagous stink bugs were found on corn with the predominant species being Nezara viridula (L.) and Euschistus servus (Say). All developmental stages of these two pests were found, indicating they were developing on the corn crop. The remaining five species, Oebalus pugnax pugnax (F.), Euschistus quadrator (Rolston), Euschistus tristigmus (Say), Euschistus ictericus (L.), and Acrosternum hilare (Say), were found in relatively low numbers. Adult N. viridula were parasitized by the tachinid parasitoid Trichopoda pennipes (F.). There was a pronounced edge effect in distribution of stink bugs in corn. Population dynamics of N. viridula and E. servus were different on early and late-planted corn. Oviposition by females of both stink bug species occurred in mid-to-late-May and again mid-to-late-June in corn, regardless of planting date. In early planted fields, if stink bug females oviposited on corn in mid-July, the resulting nymphs did not survive to the adult stage in corn because ears were close to physiological maturity and leaves were senescing. Density of stink bug adults in early planted corn was relatively low throughout the growing season. In late-planted corn, females of both stink bug species consistently laid eggs in mid-to-late-July on corn with developing ears. This habitat favored continued nymph development, and the resulting adult population reached high levels. These results indicate that corn management practices play a key role in the ecology of stink bugs in corn agroecosystems and provide information for designing management strategies to suppress stink bugs in farmscapes with corn.

Ovarian Development in Predacious Orius pumilio: Relationship to Diet, Mating, and Juvenile Hormone

Abstract A female minute pirate bug, Orius pumilio (Champion), was found to require both food and mating as an adult to achieve egg development. Last-instar nymphs of O. pumilio were individually placed into 96-well microtiter plates and recovered 24–48 h later as virgin adults, fed only on sucrose or water. The procedure yielded low mortalities. Correct identification of the sex of individuals as last-instar nymphs was achieved with 96% accuracy. The availability of food (eggs of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller) and mates for these isolated females was controlled. Unfed adult females, whether mated or not, did not produce defectible yolk protein when assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, nor did they show any follicle development when examined microscopically. Fed but unmated females produced a significant, defectible amount of yolk protein, and some oocyte development was observed, but they contained no fully mature eggs. Females that were both fed and mated fell into two categories: 44% produced mature eggs at a mean rate of 6.4 eggs per female, whereas 56% had ovaries similar to those of fed but unmated females. If treated in mixed sex groups, females that were fed and mated contained more yolk protein than those held in pairs, but increasing the sex ratio of groups above 0.5 (males:females) did not result in a significant increase in yolk protein content. Topical treatment of fed females with methoprene, a juvenile hormone analog, did not trigger an increase in yolk protein contents. We conclude that vitellogenesis is a two-stage process in adult female O. pumilio. Early vitellogenesis requires a nutritious adult diet, whereas full vitellogenesis and egg maturation also require mating.

An Assassin among Predators: The Relationship between Plant-Ants, Their Host Myrmecophytes and the Reduviidae Zelus annulosus

Tropical plants frequently live in association with ants that protect their foliage from defoliators. Among them, myrmecophytes have evolved mutualisms with a limited number of plant-ants that they shelter and feed, and, in return, benefit from some protection. Hirtella physophora (Chrysobalanaceae), for example, houses Allomerus decemarticulatus (Myrmicinae) that build gallery-shaped traps to catch large prey. In French Guiana, we frequently observed the assassin bug Zelus annulosus (Reduviidae, Harpactorinae) on the leaves of H. physophora. Here, we studied the distribution of Zelus annulosus among understory plants in the Guianese rainforest and found it only on pubescent plants, including H. Physophora, whether or not it was sheltering an A. decemarticulatus colony, but only rarely on other myrmecophytes. The relationship between Z. annulosus and its host plants is, then, also mutualistic, as the plant trichomes act as an enemy-free space protecting the nymphs from large predatory ants, while the nymphs protect their host-plants from herbivorous insects. Through their relationship with A. decemarticulatus colonies, Z. annulosus individuals are protected from army ants, while furnishing nothing in return. In those cases where H. physophora sheltered both an A. decemarticulatus colony and Z. annulosus nymphs, certain plant individuals repeatedly sheltered nymphs, indicating that female bugs may select not only pubescent plants but also particular H. physophora treelets having characteristics more favourable to the development of their progeny.

Oviposition and Development of the Tarnished Plant Bug (Heteroptera: Miridae) on Field Maize

Reduced insecticide use in cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., as a consequence of the Boll Weevil Eradication Program and the broad adoption of Bt cotton, have helped make the tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), a consistent pest of cotton each year in the mid-south. Maize, Zea mays L., has been implicated as having a role in the season-long dynamics of tarnished plant bug infestations in cotton. To date, no published information exists describing the quality of maize as a host for tarnished plant bug. No-choice field studies indicated that adult tarnished plant bug females oviposited into maize leaves, tassels, and ears. Laboratory studies showed that first-instar tarnished plant bugs could successfully develop to the adult stage when fed maize silks at the R1 growth stage, tassels before (VT) and during (R1) pollen shed, and milk stage (R3) kernels from the tip and base of the ear. The proportion of nymphs surviving to the adult stage on these tissues was often similar to that of broccoli, Brassica oleracea L. Nymphs did not develop to adults when fed V5 or R1 maize leaves. However, survival of first instars to the adult stage was improved when nymphs fed on tassels with pollen for 6 d and then moved to silks or leaves. Another field study showed that tarnished plant bugs reproduced in maize mainly during the tassel (VE and VT) and the R1-R3 ear growth stages, and a single new generation was produced in maize during these stages. The highest population recorded during the study (24 June 2005) consisted mostly of nymphs and was estimated to be 29,600/ha (12,000/acre). These studies showed that maize is a suitable host for tarnished plant bug reproduction and development, and its production plays a significant role in the population dynamics of the tarnished plant bug in the mid-south.

Survivorship of Caenorhabditis japonica dauer larvae naturally associated with the shield bug, Parastrachia japonensis

Caenorhabditis japonica forms an intimate association with the shield bug Parastrachia japonensis. Quiescent dauer larvae (DL) are always found on female shield bugs aggregating on leaves in reproductive diapause throughout the year until the next reproductive period in June, which suggests long-term survival of DL on the shield bugs without propagation. To understand the morphological significance of DL on the shield bug, cryo-scanning electron microscopy (Cryo-SEM) was performed. Cryo-SEM observation revealed that the DL appeared to be partly desiccated, but their lateral alae were not shrunken as seen in the anhydrobiotic nematode Aphelenchoides besseyi. To test DL survivorship on the shield bug, we collected bugs from the field and kept them under several experimental conditions for 3 months. When bugs were kept at 100% relative humidity (RH), very few nematodes were detected. When bugs were exposed to 97% RH using a K2SO4-saturated solution, a small number of nematodes (19 DL/bug) was detected and DL survival was low (33%). At 90% RH in a wooden box, more nematodes (67 DL/bug) were detected and survival was high (54%). These data suggest that DL are able to survive several months on shield bugs by entering a partially desiccated quiescent form.