Laboratory and field studies indicated that privet, Ligustrum lucidum (Oleaceae), is an important host plant of the neotropical stink bug, Loxa deducta (Walker) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in northern Paraná state. Survivorship of nymphs was high (82.9%) when fed immature fruits of privet. Nymph developmental time (from the 2nd stadium to adult) lasted <FONT FACE=Symbol>»</FONT> 49 d. At adult emergence, females attained greater (199.5 mg) fresh body weight than males (180.0 mg). Survivorship of adult L. deducta decreased gradually with time. Mean total longevity was <FONT FACE=Symbol>»</FONT> 62 d for females and <FONT FACE=Symbol>»</FONT> 55 d for males. Of 30 females observed, 25 (83.3%) oviposited when fed fruits of privet. The preoviposition period was 13.9 (± 0.51) d; fecundity was 17.8 (± 1.60) egg masses/female, and 236.0 (± 21.98) eggs/female; egg hatchability was 65.0 (± 6.48)%. Considering the total period of 4-wks, the percentage increase in fresh body weight was <FONT FACE=Symbol>»</FONT> 70% for females, and <FONT FACE=Symbol>»</FONT> 45% for males. During summer months (December to February), relatively low numbers of insects were collected on privet. During March, nymph and adult populations increased reaching a peak during April, and decreasing in May at the end of autumn. This tendency continued throughout winter (June-July-August), reaching almost zero in September at the beginning of spring, and increasing somewhat again in October-November.
Insecta; Hemiptera; Heteroptera; Pentatomidae; bioecology; host plant
