Age-dependent fecundity and life-fertility tables for Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Het., Pentatomidae)

The reproductive potential and longevity of Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) were determined under laboratory conditions at a constant temperature of 25 degreesC. The data were used to calculate life-fertility tables and rates of increase. The fecundity plateau of P. nigrispinus lasted 18 days, and during this period mean fecundity was 8.89 eggs per female per day. It started at the eighth day of age and ended at the 18th day of age. The declining fecundity period started at 18 days of age and ended with the death of the females. The female of P. nigrispinus oviposited a mean of 188.54 eggs, and had a mean longevity of 31.21 days. The gross reproductive rate (GRR) was 104.374 females/female; the net reproductive rate (R-o) was 31.945 females/female; the generation time was 47.390 days; the doubling time was 9.480 days; the intrinsic rate of increase (r(m)) was 0.073, and the finite rate of increase (lambda) was 1.076. The predator population increased by 16.61 adult progeny per female per generation in the laboratory.