BIOLOGY AND BIONOMICS OF DYSDERCUS KOENIGII F. (HEMIPTERA: PYRRHOCORIDAE) UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS

Red Cotton Bug, Dysdercus koenigii F., (Hemiptera: Pyrrhocoridae) is an important pest of cotton in South East Asia. Studies were carried out during 2012 to find the effect of temperature on incubation period and to explore the reproductive biology and bionomics of D. koenigii under laboratory conditions. Minimum incubation period (4.70±0.42 days) was recorded at 35°C while the eggs failed to hatch at 40°C at 70-75% relative humidity. There were five nymphal instars which completed their development in 23.42±2.49 days. The female lived longer (20.85±6.12 days) than the male (16.18±6.06 days). Each female mated three times in her life and there was statistically significant difference in mating duration (days), number of eggs laid and hatching percentage in each mating time. Number of eggs and hatching percentage was significantly higher after 1^st time mating followed by 2^nd and 3^rd time matings. Duration of pre-oviposition, oviposition and post oviposition period recorded was 7.47±0.86, 12.43±0.82 and 8.77±2.41 days, respectively. The study will help in devising pest management strategy against D. koenigii.