Fertility table and rate of population growth of the predator <i>Supputius cincticeps</i> (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) on one plant <i>of Eucalyptus cloeziana</i> in the field

Abstract

Summary The reproductive potential and population growth (r m and λ) of the predator Supputius cincticeps (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) were evaluated using a life and fertility table. S. cincticeps was reared on one plant of Eucalyptus cloeziana in the field and fed with Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) pupae. Females of this predator had a net reproductive rate (R 0 ) of 21.02 females/female; an intrinsic rate of population increase (r m ) of 0.041 and finite rate of increase (λ) of 1.042. This resulted in population growth of S. cincticeps in the eucalyptus plant with a doubling time of 17.01 days. This natural enemy can be reared under field conditions with alternative prey for use in biological control. Such individuals of S. cinticeps will be better adapted to field conditions when they are liberated.