Biology of the Anthocorid Bug, Cardiastethus exiguus on UV Irradiated Eggs of Corcyra cephalonica

Abstract

Cardiastethus exiguus Poppius is a beneficial predatory anthocorid bug. The biology of C. exiguus was studied on eggs of the alternate host, Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton) in the laboratory, at 28 ± 20C and relative humidity of 70%. The results revealed that C. exiguous had three life stages: egg, nymph and adult. Eggs of C. exiguus were thrust within the plant tissue and hatched after a mean incubation period of 3.5 days. Nymphs, when reared on UV sterilized eggs of C. cephalonica, developed normally with five instars, each having a mean duration of 3.50, 3.00, 2.50, 4.50 and 6.00 days, respectively. The adults were reared on UV-irradiated eggs of C. cephalonica. The mean longevity of the adults was found to be 46.5 days.

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