ABSTRACT
Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) is a predator found in agricultural and forest habitats. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of a sacarose and honey solution as an alternative to water supply for this insect. Treatments had 40 replicates each one starting with a second instar nymph of P. nigrispinus individualized in Petri dishes with 9.0 x 1.2 cm. Nymph of both treatments were fed with Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) pupae and water or with a water solution with honey (5g), sacarose (60g), ascorbic acid (0.5g) and nipagin (0.4g). Duration of the nymphal period and weight of nymphs of P. nigrispinus were similar except for the fifth instar where the nymphs in the treatment receiving only water originated heavier females than those which received the water solution. Females in both treatments were heavier than males, but no diferences were found for individuals of the same sex between treatments. Viability of nymphs of P. nigrispinus receiving only water was higher with total viability of 90% while this value reached only 55% in the other treatment. Even though no diferences in weight and duration of the nymphal period were found between treatments, number of adults of P. nigrispinus obtained in the treatment with honey and sacarose was lower than that with water.
Key-words:
Predator; Podisus nigrispinus; food.
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