Study of some biological characteristics of Arma custos (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in a laboratory rearing

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The asopine Arma sustos is a generalist predator feeding mainly on lepidopteran and coleopteran larvae. In order to study its reproductive potential, a laboratory colony of the predator was established using Galleria mellonella larvae as prey. Experiments were carried out in a controlled climate room (T = 25 ± 1 ºC, RH = 60 - 70% and L : D = 16 : 8 h.). Development times of eggs and five nymphal instars were 7.30 ± 0.02, 4.25 ± 0.03, 4.96 ± 0.03, 4.69 ± 0.02, 5.46 ± 0.02 and 8.15 ± 0.02 days, respectively. The respective overall survival rates were: 89, 84, 75, 67, 63 and 55 percent. Females took longer (34.96 ± 0.11 days) to develop than males (34.59 ± 0.08 days). Estimated values for demographic parameters of intrinsic and finite rates of increase (day -1), gross and net reproductive rates (eggs) and generation time (days) were 0.0579, 1.0597, 106.2, 35.44 and 61.57, respectively. Optimal discard age of the culture was at day 46 from adults eclosion. Use of these findings for further studies on the predator was discussed.

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References

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BioControl in Plant Protection
Volume 1, Issue 1 - Serial Number 1
September 2013
Pages 81-90

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