Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #394195
Research Project: Managing Invasive Weeds and Insect Pests Using Biologically-Based Methods

Location: Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research

Title: Life history of Euthyrhynchus floridanus (L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Author
item Legaspi, Jesusa

Submitted to: Subtropical Agriculture and Environments
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/31/2022
Publication Date: 12/9/2022
Citation: Legaspi, J.C. 2022. Life history of Euthyrhynchus floridanus (L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Subtropical Agriculture and Environments. 73:41-46.

Interpretive Summary: The Florida predatory stinkbug, a beneficial insect found throughout the southeastern United States, Mexico, Central, and South America into southern Brazil, has been considered a potential biological control agent against devastating crop pests such as the kudzu bug and citrus weevil. However, as relatively little is known about its biology or potential as a predator, its use has been limited. A scientist from USDA-ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology in Gainesville, Florida, examined life history parameters of this species to determine its potential efficacy as a biological control agent and its adaptability to mass-rearing for release. Both the longevity and high reproductive rates indicate that this species has high potential as a predator and easily reared for mass release. Based on these studies, the Florida predatory stinkbug has demonstrated potential as an additional tool as a biological control agent in integrated pest management programs in the southeastern United States.

Technical Abstract: Life history of the Florida predatory stinkbug Euthyrhynchus floridanus (L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) was studied under constant laboratory conditions of 26°C, 14:10 (L:D) h and 40-70% RH and an ad libitum diet of medium-sized mealworms, Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Time from egg laying to emergence (x¯ ± SE) was 21.5 ± 1.3 d. Nymphal durations were: 1st instar: 7.1 ± 1.5 d; 2nd instar: 9.8 ± 1.2, 3rd instar : 9.8 ± 0.8 d, 4th instar : 4.5 ± 0.9 d and 5th instar: 11.4 ± 1.0 d. Total time from egg laying to adult emergence was 64.0 ± 1.1 d. Total lifetime fecundity averaged 128.8 ± 18.5 eggs per female. The survivorship curve of the immature stages was a linear decline. Mean numbers of eggs laid per female slightly increased upwards until the female was about 20 d old, followed by a tendency towards decline afterwards. Adult male longevity was 75.4 ± 3.8 d, which was significantly the same as that of females at 64.8 ± 6.8. Male adults weighed 100.3 ± 8.4 mg, which was significantly less than that of females that weighed 224.9 ± 15.1 mg. Body weights are given for each life stage from egg to 5th instars. The life history parameters for E. floridanus were calculated as: net reproductive rate R0 = 199.42 '/', gross reproductive rate GRR = 313.54 '/', generation time T = 19.59 d, intrinsic rate of increase r = 0.27 '/'/d, finite rate of increase ' = 1.31 '/'/d, and doubling time DT = 2.57 d. These parameters were higher than those of the related predator Podisus maculiventris (Say) suggesting that E. floridanus may be useful in a biological control program.