Nymphal development and adult reproduction of the stinkbug predator Podisus nigrispinus (Het., Pentatomidae) under fluctuating temperatures

Developmental rates, egg and nymph survival and adult reproduction of Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Het., Pentatomidae) were investigated under six fluctuating temperatures and night–day regimes with a photoperiod of 14 h light: 10 h dark compared with a check temperature of 27 ± 1.5°C. Lower development threshold temperatures for egg, nymphal stage and from egg to adult were estimated at 13.70, 11.96 and 12.68°C with a requirement, respectively, of 54.34, 284.25 and 327.13 degree‐days. The highest egg‐adult development rate was achieved at 25–35°C. At 10–20°C only 7.0% of nymphs reached adult stage, whereas at 27, 15–25 and 17–27°C, 93.0, 87.3 and 91.1% adult emergence was achieved, respectively. The females that emerged at 10–20°C laid no eggs, while those ar 25–35, 15–25, 17–27 and 27°C produced a total of 92.1, 453.2, 415.0 and 325.0 eggs, respectively. Results for threshold temperature and thermal requirement were approximately those reported at constant temperatures by other researchers, while the reproductive parameters of P. nigrispinus were better at intermediate temperatures ranging from 15–25 to 20–30°C.