Implications of the proportion of Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) females on their reproductive characteristics and longevity

Abstract

This study evaluated the reproductive parameters and longevity of Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) under different proportions of females to optimize the obtaining of individuals in the rearing to release of this predator in the field. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design and tested the following proportions: 1 female to 1 male (1:1), 2 females to 1 male (2:1), 3 females to 1 male (3:1) and 4 females 1 for male (4:1). The reproductive parameters and longevity were evaluated. The number of eggs per egg mass was higher in the proportion 1:1 (23.0 eggs per egg mass), differing from the other proportions studied. The number of eggs per female decreased significantly due to the increase in the proportion of females. In the proportion 1:1 the average of eggs per female was 790.0 and fell to 372.6 in the proportion 4:1. Egg viability was highest in the proportion 1:1 (74.32%), with a significant reduction in the other proportions. The longevity of females decreased significantly with increasing proportion. The increase in proportion of female negatively interferes in the reproductive parameters and longevity of P. nigrispinus, should be considered both in mass rearing techniques how much in the release of this predator in the field.