Influenced of different live prey diets on development and reproductive capacity of the Predatory Asopin Bug Cantheconidea furcellata (Wolff.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

The population survivorship and demographic parameters of the predatory asopin bug, Cantheconidea furcellata (Wolff.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), was determined using larvae of selected species, individually or in combinations, as prey under laboratory conditions of 28 _ 2_C, 60-80% RH and a photoperiod of 12L:12D. Initial mortality of the nonfeeding first instar nymph occurred between 3rd and 4th day after emergence. The female bugs when fed on mealworms, Tenebrio molitor (L) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) alone, showed the longest lifespan (40 days). However, the lifespan shortened to 35-36 days when the bugs were fed rice moth larvae, Corcyra cephalonica Stainton (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) or supplemented with banana leaf rollers, Erionata thrax (L.) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae). Fecundity of the female bugs was influenced by the food preyed upon. Total number of eggs laid was the highest (1013 eggs) when the bugs fed on the mealworms, whereas 349 and 901 eggs were produced on rice moth larvae and mealworm in combination with banana leaf rollers, respectively. The provision of macrolepidopteran larvae to the last nymphal instar of C. furcellata , i.e. under supplemented conditions, markedly improved demographic parameters: the net reproductive rate (R0), generation time (T), intrinsic rate of increase (r), innate capacity of increase (rm), finite rate of increase (l) and doubling time (DT) were 45.05 female offsprings female-1, 12.97 d, 0.294 day-1, 0.610 day-1, 1.34 female offsprings female-1 day-1 and 2.36 d, respectively. The provision of the banana leaf roller to the last nymphal instar of C. furcellata was necessary to provide sufficient nutrients required for the production of a healthy culture of the predatory asopine bugs. Keywords Demographic parameters, Cantheconidea furcellata, oil palm, Corcyra cephalonica, Erionata thrax, Tenebrio molitor