Pachycoris torridus (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae) has been reported as a species that can damage fruit and seed of physic nut, Jatropha curcas L. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological aspects and the damage of this stink bug species on J. curcas. Eggs, nymphs and adults of P. torridus were collected and maintained in a growth chamber. Some adults were confined in cages with developing fruits to damage assessment under field conditions. The postures had an average of 57.6 eggs. The incubation period was 12.7 days and the nymphal stage lasted 8.1, 10.9, 9.7, 11.6 and 11.7 days for the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth instars, respectively. The development from egg to adult was completed in 86.5 days. The copulation took 3h43min. The presence of one female, one or two couples of stink bug caused decreases of 63, 54 and 85% in fruit weight when compared with control fruit (without insects). Seed oil content was reduced in 99% and 58% when fruits were attacked by a female or a couple. Those fruits with two couples had no oil in seed. For mature fruits, there was not observed any change due to insect presence.
Jatropha curcas; biology; Euphorbiaceae; Hemiptera; Scutelleridae
