6. Consumption Ability of Spined Soldier Bug Podisus Maculiventris (Say.) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) Preying on Hypera Postica Gyll. and Gonioctena Fornicata Brugg. Larvae under Laboratory Conditions

The aim of the present research was to study the feeding abilities of the spined soldier bug Podisus maculiventris (Say.) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) on Phytonomus variabilis Gyll. and Phytodåcta fornicata Brügg. larvae under laboratory conditions. We found that P. maculiventris nymphs successfully developed while preying on Phytonomus variabilis and Phytodåcta fornicata larvae. Each nymph of the predatory bug consumed an average of 18.74 Phytonomus variabilis larvae and 11.92 Phytodåcta fornicata larvae respectively for about 10–11 days from L4 instars until the imago stage. The results showd that Phytonomus variabilis and Phytodåcta fornicata larvae are suitable prey for P. maculiventris and this predator could potentially be used as a biological control agent against them in alfalfa fields.