Development and fertility parameters of a predatory bug, Dortus primarius Distant (Miridae: Deraeocorinae) at different temperatures

Dortus primarius Distant (Hemiptera: Miridae) is a predatory mirid bug and found to feed on soft bodied insects in the field. Rearing protocol has been developed for this predatory bug. Abiotic factors like temperature influences the development, survival, fitness, population dynamics and reproduction of insects. The objective of this study was to determine biological and life table parameters of D. primarius at five temperatures (15 °C; 20 °C; 25 °C; 30 °C and 35 °C) with relative humidity of 60 ± 5% and photoperiod of 12 h. Maximum hatching (93.86 and 76%) and nymphal survival (83.28 and 71.66%) was observed at 25 and 30 °C, respectively. Total developmental period was higher at lower temperatures (15 and 20 °C). The Kaplan–Meier’s survival curves showed significant differences in male and in female according to the temperature and an increase in temperature resulted in a decrease in survival time. Life table parameters exhibited higher net reproductive rate (R 0 ), precise intrinsic rate of increase (r m ), finite rate of increase (λ) and hypothetical F2 females at 25 °C which makes it ideal temperature for rearing. The data generated through studies on biology and fertility will ensure continuous availability of a laboratory culture of this bug which can be used against different insect pests.