Comparison of Meridic and Natural Diets on the Biology of Nezara viridula (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) and Eight Other Phytophagous Heteroptera1

Development times from second-instar nymphs to adult for the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (L.), reared on a standard green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plus peanut, Arachis hypogaea (L.), diet were not significantly different from those reared on the meridic Debolt diet, and modifications thereof. When nymphs were reared on green beans plus peanuts and switched to the meridic diet as adults, female longevity and fecundity were significantly reduced. None of the dusky stink bugs, Euschistus tristigmus (Say); rice stink bugs, Oebalus pugnax (F.); or Banasa dimidiata (Say) reached adult stage when reared on the meridic diet. The green stink bug, Acrosternum hilare (Say); the redshouldered stink bug (Thyanta accerra McAtee); the brown stink bug, E. servus (Say); and E. quadrator Rolston were reared from egg to egg on the meridic diet. E. quadrator was successfully reared through three consecutive generations on the meridic diet.