Phytophagy by Podisus nigrispinus on cotton plants and weeds

Abstract

This work evaluated the effect of six weeds and cotton plants on predatory stinkbug Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) development, reproduction and survival under partial prey scarcity, three days feeding intervals, and total absence of prey. Nymphal developmental periods under partial prey scarceness with three days of feeding intervals were higher on Ricinus communis and lower on Bidens pilosa. Partial prey scarcity did not affect nymphal viability, adult female weight and reproductive characteristics, but male weight and female longevity were reduced in Desmodium tortuosum and R. communis, respectively. Podisus nigrispinus showed better performance on Amaranthus hybridus, D. tortuosum and R. communis based on the life table parameters. Nymphs reared under total absence of prey lived longer on Ageratum conyzoides, B. pilosa, D. tortuosum and Euphorbia heterophylla; however, they did not live beyond the third ínstar. Longevity of P. nigrispinus females was improved depending on the plant available ranging from 15.7 days on Gossypium hirsutum to 29.8 days on A. conyzoides. The plant availability under total absence of prey, however, was not sufficient to endure female sexual maturation and egg production.