Effect of Temperature on the Development and the Mortality of the Southern Green Stink Bug, Nezara Viridula and the Oriental Green Stink Bug, N. Antennata

Abstract

Effects of temperature on the development and the mortality of the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula and the oriental green stink bug, N. antennata were studied under a series of constant temperature. Relation between rearing temperature and the colouration of the 4th and 5th instar nymphs in both species was also observed. 1) The relation of rearing temperature and the development in both species can be expressed by straight line, if reciprocals of incubation period and larval period, i.e., the developmental velocities are plotted against temperature. 2) In both N. viridula and N. antennata, the developmental zero and the total effective temperature are obtained as follows: [formula omitted] 3) Within a temperature range used in this experiment, the zone of favourable temperature for development from egg to the emergence of imago seems to lie between 20 and 30°C in N. viridula and between 22.5 and 27.5°C in N. antennata. The optimum temperature for development is near 30°C in the former species and near 27.5°C in the latter. 4) In both species, individuals bearing melanic pattern occur more frequently with the fall of temperature (Figs. 3 and 4), indicating that temperature can be regarded as the main factor responsible for the variation of the body colour of the 4th and 5th instar larvae. © 1961, JAPANESE SOCIETY OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY AND ZOOLOGY. All rights reserved.