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Nymphal development of Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) and Supputius cincticeps (Stål) (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae) at constant temperatures

The effect of temperature on the development of Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas, 1851) and Supputius cinctceps (Stål, 1860) was studied in order to adjust equations to predict the development of these predators under 18, 20, 25, 30, 32 and 35º±0.2ºC, relative humidity of 65±10% and photophase of 12 hours. Incubation period of the eggs and duration and viability of nymphal stage were quadratically influenced by temperature while egg viability decreased linearly with increased temperature. The best temperature for egg development was 29ºC for both species and for nymphal development of P. nigrispinus and S. cincticeps they were 29º and 28ºC respectivelly. Nymphal viability was highly affected by extreme temperatures, with optima around 24ºC for S. cincticeps and 26ºC for P. nigrispinus.

Heteroptera; Pentatomidae; Podisus nigrispinus; Supputius cincticeps; nymphal development; predators


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