Modeling temperature-dependent development and survival of Podisus maculiventris (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae): Implications for biological control

Effects of temperature on stage-specific development and survival of the spined soldier bug, Podisus maculiventris (Say), were examined at eight constant temperatures (13.2, 18.4, 21.7, 23.7, 27.2, 32.7, 35.2, and 40.6°C) using yellow mealworms as prey. The stage-specific development and survival of P. maculiventris were quantitatively described by applying empirical models as a function of temperature over a wide thermal range. Survival model using log-normal equations showed bell-shape patterns for all stages, and estimated that the temperatures with the highest survival were 19.9, 24.3, and 24.5°C for egg, nymph, and egg to adult, respectively. Developmental rates at the eight temperatures were fitted with a nonlinear Briere model, which estimated optimal temperatures for the development as 31.2, 30.6, and 30.6°C for egg, nymph, and egg to adult, respectively. Operative thermal ranges, in-between the lower and upper developmental thresholds, were estimated to be 8.9–35.2°C, 12.8–35.2°C, 12.7–35.2°C for egg, nymph, and egg to adult, respectively. In a linear model, the lower thresholds and thermal requirements (DD) were 10.9°C (70.1 DD), 13.1°C (241.7 DD), and 13.0°C (307.6 DD) for egg, nymph, and egg to adult, respectively. Overall, findings herein provide comprehensive data and explanations on the temperature-dependent survival and development of P. maculiventris. Implications for mass rearing, prediction of seasonal phenology, timing for augmentative release, and estimation of establishment potential were discussed.