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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #329168
Research Project: Improved Biologically-Based Tactics to Manage Invasive Insect Pests and Weeds

Location: Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research

Title: Analysis of functional and numerical responses of spined soldier bug, Podisus maculiventris when reared on kudzu bug, Megacopta cribaria (Hemiptera: Plataspididae)

Author
item TURNER, ERIC - Florida A & M University
item KANGA, LAMBERT - Florida A & M University
item Legaspi, Jesusa
item ANANGA, ANTHONY - Florida A & M University

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/2/2015
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The spined solder bug (Podisus maculiventris) is a predatory insect that feeds on a wide array of species. The immatures of this predatory species have five instars. All stages are predatory except for the 1st instar nymphs. Kudzu bugs (Megacopta cribaria) are shield bugs that are deemed a pest of economically important crops such as soybeans and other legume crops. The objective was to evaluate Podisus maculiventris as a biological control agent. Preliminary results indicate that Podisus maculiventris will feed and develop on kudzu bug numphs.