Biological and predatory characteristics of Andrallus spinidens (Hem.: Pentatomidae) on fourth instar larvae of Spodoptera littoralis (Lep.: Noctuidae), under laboratory conditions

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Abstract

Biological and predatory characteristics of Andrallus spinidens (F.) on fourth instar larvae of Egyptian cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Bois.), were investigated, under laboratory condition, at 25 ± 1°C, 60 ± 5% RH and a photoperiod of 16: 8 L: D h. The analysis was based on an age-stage, two-sex life table. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm), finite rate of increase (λ), net reproductive rate (R0), gross reproductive rate (GRR) and mean generation time (T) of A. spinidens on S. littoralis were 0.0821 day-1, 1.0821 day-1, 102.77 offspring, 192.61 eggs and 58.68 day, respectively. The mean reproductive value of A. spinidens was estimated as 342.58 ± 48.18 eggs per female. The intrinsic birth rate (b) and intrinsic death rate (d) for A. spinidens on S. littoralis were 0.0894 and 0.0073, respectively. The first stage nymphs of A. spinidens live only on water but the second, third and fourth stage nymphs fed on 12.22, 26.22 and 41.28 of S. littoralis larvae, respectively. The fifth stage nymphs were more voracious and preyed on more than 70% of the larvae (94.36). At the adult stage, both male and female of A. spinidens were able to kill up to 85% of the larvae. In conclusion, the results prove that this predator pentatomid bug can be used as an efficient biological control agent against the noctuid pest, S. littoralis.

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Journal of Entomological Society of Iran
Volume 32, Issue 1
September 2012
Pages 1-19

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