Biology of anthocorid predator, Blaptostethus pallescens Poppius (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae)

Abstract

Biology of anthocorid predator Blaptostethus pallescens Poppius was studied on eggs of alternate host Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton). Eggs of B. pallescens, thrust within the plant tissue, hatched after a mean incubation period of 5.78 days. Nymphs, when reared on UV sterilized eggs of C. cephalonica under ambient conditions, developed normally with five instars, each having a mean duration of 2.63, 1.92, 2.01, 2.50 and 5.10 days, respectively. Females laid eggs after a pre-oviposition period of 4.2 days. Average fecundity of bugs was 134.04 eggs. Mean longevity of females was found to be higher (52.03 days) than that of males (40.18 days).