Life tables of Xylocoris flavipes (Hemiptera Anthocoridae) feeding on Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera Tenebrionidae)

Effects of four constant temperatures (19°C, 21°C, 24°C, and 32°C) on the development and reproduction of Xylocoris flavipes (Reuter) (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) and on its predatory activity against the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) were investigated. Survival of eggs and larvae was high at 24°C and 32°C. At 19°C none of the larvae survived longer than the first instar, whereas at 21°C the number of the larvae completing the immature stage was extremely low. Developmental time was significantly shorter at 32°C. Females lived longer at 21°C, but no differences were observed at 24°C and 32°C. Fecundity was greatly reduced at 21°C and was higher at 32°C. At 21°C, the intrinsic rate of increase (rm) reached the minimum (0.0004), and gradually increased with temperature (0.054 at 24°C and 0.137 at 32°C). At 24°C larvae consumed more prey during their development, but at 32°C the predation rate per day was higher. For adults both total predation rate and predation rate per day were higher at 32°C. The performance of the anthocorid at the various temperatures is discussed in relation to its practical use as a control agent for stored product insects.