Effects of temperature on the development and reproduction of the predatory bug Joppeicus paradoxus Puton (Hemiptera: Joppeicidae) reared on Tribolium confusum eggs

The development and reproductive capacity of Joppeicus paradoxus Puton (Hemiptera: Joppeicidae) reared on Tribolium confusum Jaquelin du Val (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) eggs, which is one of major pests of stored grain, were investigated at five constant temperatures (25, 28, 30, 32 and 34°C), 70–80% RH and a 16L–8D photoperiod. The duration of pre-adult (egg to adult) stage ranged from 60.2 days at 32°C to 142.9 days at 25°C. Emergence rates were more than 55.6% at 25–32°C, but only 27.2% at 34°C. Female lifetime fecundity was greatly reduced at 34°C, and reached a maximum at 30°C. Female longevity ranged from 72.5 days at 28°C to 118.5 days at 32°C. The net reproductive rate (R0) and the intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) were the highest at 30°C. It was estimated that the optimum temperature conditions for population increase of J. paradoxus, when fed with T. confusum eggs, lie around 30°C.