Nymphal development of the fruit-piercing stink bug, Glaucias subpunctatus (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), on capsules of Triadica sebifera

Abstract

We examined the nymphal development of the fruit-piercing stink bug, Glaucias subpunctatus, a pest of citrus and pears, on mature capsules of the Chinese tallow-tree, Triadica sebifera, considered to be an alternative host plant. The rearing experiment revealed that all nymphs after the second instar stage developed and survived to adulthood, but a large proportion of the second instar nymphs died, considered to be due to sucking failure. The marked mortality of the second instars may be due to the hard seed coat of T. sebifera. In conclusion, T. sebifera may be an alternative host plant after the successful passage of second instars on immature capsules of T. sebifera, or on Cryptomeria japonica or Chamaecyparis obtuse, conventionally viewed as the host plants.