The Reproductive Behavior of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha mista Uhler (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) I. Observation of Mating Behavior and Multiple Copulation

Abstract

Several features of mating behavior and the relation between the number of copulations and the fecundity of the female brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha mista Uhler, were investigated in the laboratory. The sequences of mating behavior were observed to be common with other pentatomid bugs in some features. The duration of copulation was much shorter (mean ca. 10 min) than those in other bugs reported previously and the number of copulations of each adult averaged more than five times daily while they were sexually mature. Although the female that mated once was capable of laying fertile eggs for about half of her life, fecundity decreased in proportion to her age. Fecundity and period of laying fertile eggs increased in proportion to the number of copulations. © 1983, JAPANESE SOCIETY OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY AND ZOOLOGY. All rights reserved.