Temperature-dependent life history of the green plant bug, Apolygus lucorum (Meyer-Dur) (Hemiptera: Miridae)

Apolygus lucorum (Meyer-Dur) (Hemiptera: Miridae) is an important agricultural pest and may cause serious yield losses to numerous crops in eastern Asia, such as cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production throughout northern China. In this paper, we determined the effect of six constant temperatures (10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 degrees C) on A. lucorum life history. Successful nymphal development and adult emergence were reported for all temperature regimes, whereas egg eclosion was not observed at 10 degrees C. Development time decreased with increasing temperature between 10 and 30 degrees C, slightly increasing at 35 degrees C. Lower development thresholds of egg and nymphal stages were estimated as 3.2 and 3.7 degrees C, and their thermal constants were 179.2 and 262.4 DD, respectively. Optimum and lethal temperatures for development were 33.8 and 42.5 degrees C for eggs, and 31.0 and 38.5 degrees C for nymphs, respectively. Adult longevity declined with increasing temperature. Fecundity greatly decreased at extreme temperatures (i.e., 10 and 35 degrees C), with the highest value at 20 degrees C. Our findings could help predict A. lucorum population dynamics in different agro-production regions of eastern Asia and subsequently develop appropriate pest forecasting and management protocols.