Feeding strategy of Palomena angulosa MOTSCHULSKY (hemiptera: pentatomidae). I: Opposition site selection, nymph development and walking ability of nymphs

Abstract

Oviposition site preference in Palomina angulosa MOTSCHULSKY (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) was investigated. The preference of females caught in the field was examined in laboratory cages and outdoor screen cages. Specific preference for plants on which parasitism has been demonstrated in the field was not observed and a lot of oviposition was found on the nets of laboratory cages and net rooms. The nymphs were reared on five species of plants on which oviposition has been previously observed, or on green beans as a control. All the nymphs reared on willow twigs died at a young age. The growth periods until adult emergence differed between plants. The difference was 60 days between the longest-period plant (red clover) and the shortest-period plant (mountain ash). The body weight at emergence was ca. 100 mg for mountain ash and ca. 90 mg for red clover. The walking abilities of the nymphs (instars 2-5) were compared and the younger instars were found to walk more actively. These results suggest that female oviposition site selection is not necessarily made, and if nymphs hatch on an unsuitable plant for growth, they could walk to a suitable plant host.