Biology and Predation Capacity of Big Eyed Bug <I>Geocoris ochropterus</I> Fieber)

Abstract

Biological study of big-eyed bug, Geocoris ochropterus Fieber (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) was done under laboratory condition.  It was found that the egg was elongate and green.  Female adult laid egg singly and the incubation period averaged 7.30±0.48 days.  The nymphal stage consisted of 5 instars with dark brown body and became a predator immediately after hatching from the egg. The developmental times of the nymphal stage averaged 36.70±2.91 days. Both male and female adults were black.  Longevities of male and female adults averaged 12.80±1.55 and 15.20±0.79 days, respectively.  The individual female could lay 4.40±0.84 eggs per day.  Predation capacity of G. ochropterus with 6 species of preys; Thrips palmi Karny,  Aphis gossypii Glover, Macronellicoccus hirsutus (Green) nymph, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) nymph, Corcyra cephalonica Stainton and Tetranychus truncatus Ehara indicated that A. gossypii was the most preferred by both nymphs and adults of G. ochropterus with the consumption average of 866.10±10.24 and 566.60±11.30 individuals respectively.  B. tabaci nymph was the least preferred by nymphs and adults of G. ochropterus with the consumption average of 234.15±8.69 and 101.45±2.19 individuals respectively.