Biological parameters and fertility life table of Neopamera bilobata (Hemiptera: Rhyparochromidae) on strawberry

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the biological parameters and to determinate the fertility life table of Neopamera bilobata (Hemiptera: Rhyparochromidae) on strawberry. The experiment was carried out in the Laboratory of Entomology of Embrapa Uva e Vinho, in Bento Gonçalves, RS, Brazil, in a climatic chamber (at 23±1°C, 70±10% RH, and 12-hour photoperiod). Leaflets, flowers, and green and ripe fruit of 'Aromas' strawberry were used to feed the insects. The development of immature stages and the biological parameters of adults were daily monitored. The bug N. bilobata did not complete the life cycle on strawberry leaflets and flowers. On mature and green fruit, the nymph-adult development time was of 32.8±9.12 and 36.7±6.80 days, with viability of 27.3 and 51%, respectively. The oviposition period was of 34.7±21.2 days, with 319.1±262.7 eggs on ripe fruit, and of 43.9±18.3 days, with 318.2±144.7 eggs on green fruit. Neopamera bilobata completes its biological cycle on strawberry crop. Green fruit of strawberry are more suitable for this insect development than ripe ones.