Journal of Applied Entomology (2003) 127, 209-213

R.S. Medeiros, F.S. Ramalho, J.C. Zanuncio and J.E. Serrão (2003)
Effect of temperature on life table parameters of Podisus nigrispinus (Het., Pentatomidae) fed with Alabama argillacea (Lep., Noctuidae) larvae
Journal of Applied Entomology 127 (4), 209-213
Abstract: The influence of temperature on life table parameters of Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Het., Pentatomidae) fed with Alabama argillacea (Hübner) (Lep., Noctuidae) larvae was studied. This predator was kept at constant temperatures of 20, 23, 25, 28, 30 and 33±0.2°C, at relative humidity of 60±10% and photoperiod of L : D 14 : 10. Gross (GRR) and net (R0) reproductive rates of P. nigrispinus ranged from 1.6 to 366.6 and from 0.02 to 189.5 females/female at temperatures of 33 and 28°C, respectively; generation time (T ) ranged from 33.3 (33°C) to 85.5 (20°C) days; doubling time (D) from 0.82 (33°C) to 17.8 (20°C) days; intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) from -0.13 (33°C) to 0.12 (28°C) per day; and the finite rate of increase (lambda) from 0.88 (33°C) to 1.12 (28°C) females/female added to the population per day. The ideal age to release P. nigrispinus should be when this predator presents higher reproductive values (VR_x); that is, its adults are about 7 days old, independent of prevailing temperature. Population growth of P. nigrispinus was affected by temperature with maximum numerical response between 28 and 30°C. The negative population growth shown at 33°C may not occur in natural conditions due to milder microclimate in the cotton agroecosystem and due to oscillations of temperature in the course of the day.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): José Eduardo Serrao, Francisco de Sousa Ramalho, José Cola Zanuncio

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

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Podisus nigrispinus (predator)