Temperature-Induced Effects on Predation and Growth of Eocanthecona furcellata (Wolff) (Pentatomidae: Heteroptera)

The effect of different temperatures (IS, 20, 25, 30 and 35°C) on growth and food consumption of a pentatomid predator, Eocanthecona furcellata were studied in the laboratory. Higher temperatures (15°C) accelerated the growth period thereby reducing the time to the adult maturity, coupled with an increase in the food comsumptlon. Lower temperatures (20°C), had opposite effects and arrested egg development. Prey capture efficiency, increased with increasing temperature. Males killed greater number of prey than did the females, but the latter consumed a larger amount of prey than did the males.