Hormetic responses of a stinkbug predator to sublethal doses of pyrethroid.

Stressors can affect reproduction and longevity by impacting endocrine and immune systems but they may increase life span and stimulate reproduction. The effects of sublethal doses of permethrin topically applied on third instar nymphs of Podisus distinctus (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) was evaluated. The weight of females survival of nymph and adults, number of eggs and nymphs/females of P. distinctus were higher when exposed to lower doses of permethrin. On the other hand, the exposition to the 0.131, 1.315 and 13.15 ppb showed positive effects on the oviposition periods, number of egg masses and longevity of P. distinctus females.