Applied Entomology and Zoology (2010) 45, 313-318

Hiroshi Nishikawa, Takuji Shimada, Kengo Nakahira and Ryo Arakawa (2010)
Thermal effect on the development and reproduction of an indigenous mirid bug, Pilophorus typicus Distant (Heteroptera: Miridae), a potential biological control agent in Japan
Applied Entomology and Zoology 45 (2), 313-318
Abstract: In order to establish the optimal thermal conditions for mass rearing of the predatory mirid bug Pilophorus typicus, we investigated the effect of temperature on the development and fecundity of this bug at 6 constant temperatures (17.5, 20.0, 22.5, 25.0, 27.5, and 30.0°C) under a 16L8D photoperiod. The developmental period of P. typicus from egg to adult at different temperatures was not affected by sex. The developmental zero (T0) and thermal constant (K) of females from egg to adult were 12.0°C and 357.1 day-degrees, respectively. The corresponding values for males were 12.1°C and 357.1 day-degrees, respectively. The mean generation time (T) of P. typicus decreased with an increase in temperature from 17.5°C to 30.0°C. Among the temperatures investigated, the net reproductive rate (R0) was highest at 25.0°C, whereas the highest intrinsic rate of natural increase (r_m) occurred at 27.5°C. These results indicate that the optimal temperature for the mass rearing of P. typicus is between 25.0°C and 27.5°C.
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Database assignments for author(s): Kengo Nakahira, Ryo Arakawa

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution
rearing/culturing/mass production

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Pilophorus typicus (predator)			Japan