Biology and Rearing Requirements of an Anthocorid Predator, Blaptostethus pallescens Poppius (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae)

Biology and feeding potential of an anthocorid predator, Blaptostethus pallescens Pop pius were studied on the eggs of alternate host, Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton). Approximately 100 UV irradiated C. cephalonica eggs are required for rearing one nymph throughout its nymphal period of about 16 days (4-11 eggs per day) and 630 eggs for an adult throughout its longevity (3-19 eggs per day). Adult females had a greater feeding potential (943 eggs per adult) in comparison to males (381 eggs per adult). Utilising 9cc of C. cephalonica eggs, 1000 B. pallescens could be produced. The lab-reared adults had a very high longevity (38- 78 days) and fecundity (110-203 nymphs/female), indicating the suitability of C. cephalonica eggs for mass production.