Trade-Offs between Temperature and Fitness in Euschistus heros (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae): Implications for Mass Rearing and Field Management

Authors

Ana Paula Frugeri Barrufaldi, São Paulo State University
Rafael Hayashida, Oklahoma State University
William Wyatt Hoback, Oklahoma State University
Leon G. Higley, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Jose Romario de Carvalho, State of Espírito Santo
Regiane Cristina de Oliveira, São Paulo State University

Date of this Version

5-10-2023

Citation

Barrufaldi, A.P.F.; Hayashida, R.; Hoback,W.W.; Higley, L.G.; Carvalho, J.R.d.; Oliveira, R.C.d. Trade-Offs between Temperature and Fitness in Euschistus heros (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae): Implications for Mass Rearing and Field Management. Insects 2023, 14, 448. https://doi.org/10.3390/ insects14050448

Comments

Open access.

Abstract

The brown stink bug, Euschistus heros (Fabricius, 1798) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is one of the most abundant soybean stink bug pests in Brazil. Temperature is a key factor that affects its development and reproduction, and fluctuating temperatures may impact the development and reproduction of E. heros differently from those under constant temperatures. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of constant and fluctuating temperature on the biological characteristics of E. heros in three successive generations. Treatments consisted of six constant temperatures (19^oC, 22^oC, 25^oC, 28^oC, 31^oC and 34^oC) and four fluctuating temperatures (25:21^oC, 28:24^oC, 31:27^oC, and 34:30^oC) evaluated for three successive generations. Second-stage nymphs were evaluated daily, and after they reached the adult stage, they were separated by sex, and the individual weight (mg) and pronotum size (mm) were recorded. After pair formation, eggs were collected to evaluate the pre-oviposition period, total number of eggs, and egg viability. The duration of the nymphal stage was reduced with an increase in both constant and fluctuating temperatures; however, at constant temperatures of 19^oC, 31^oC and 34^oC and fluctuating temperatures of 28:24^oC, there was no reproduction in adults. The base temperature and total degree day requirement for nymphal development were 15.5^oC and 197.4 dd, respectively. Pre-oviposition period (d), number of eggs per female, and viability of eggs (%) were affected by temperature across the generations. The multiple decrement life table analysis revealed that mortality was highest during the molting of the secondstage nymphs. These findings have important implications for E. heros’ laboratory mass-rearing programs and for its management in fields.