Oviposition of the neotropical brown stink bug euschistus heros (heteroptera: Pentatomidae) on artificial and on natural substrates

Abstract

Laboratory studies indicated that the Neotropical brown stink bug, Euschistus heros (F.) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) prefers cotton ball over polyester veil and cheesecloth as ovipositional substrate. In dual and multiple choice tests cotton balls were greatly preferred as ovipositional substrates over soybean leaflets or bean pods, and cotton balls are as acceptable as a living soybean plant. The use of cotton balls greatly simplifies routine maintenance of laboratory colonies.