Demography and predatory potential of on eggs of at two temperatures.

BACKGROUND

The polyphagous predatory bug Poppius (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) is an active predator used to control many insect pests of agricultural crops. species are significantly affected by the type of food and temperature.

METHOD

A study of feeding on L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) eggs in climate chambers at 28 and 32 °C, 70 ± 5% relative humidity, 16:8 photoperiod, was conducted to determine the effects of different temperatures on the predation activity, biological characteristics and demographic parameters of . Twosex-MS Charts were used to determine the age-stages and characteristics of this species.

RESULTS

The results showed that the daily consumption of pre-adults on eggs of was highest at 28 °C, and at this temperature, there was a greater probability that would survive to adulthood (42.5%) than at 32 °C (25.0%). It has also been found that at 28 °C there was a long oviposition period (9.38 days) and the greatest female fecundity (44.2 eggs/female) In addition to the highest life expectancy of (16.96 days) at 28 °C, the intrinsic rate of increase (0.087 d) was also highest. According to our results, has the potential to grow and develop on the eggs of at 28 °C and, therefore, could potentially be used as a biological control agent in integrated pest management (IPM) programs.