Maintenance and termination of reproductive dormancy in an Australian stink bug, Biprorulus bibax

Reproductive dormancy in female Biprorulus bibax Breddin sampled during March-October in Southern New South Wales was terminated by exposure to 25°C under long (15h) and short (10h) photoperiods. 27% of individuals collected during March-May failed to oviposit under short days. Pre-oviposition period under short photoperiod was greates during March-June (22.4–61.7 d) and shortest during July-October (4.2–14.4 d). Under long photoperiod it was greatest in April and May (20.1–22.3 d) and shortest during June-October (4.9–16.6 d). Longevity ranged from 39.8–89.0 d, with longest lived females being collected in June and held under short days. Fecundity ranged from 51.6–164.4 and was greatest in individuals collected in June-July and held under short days. In females held under long days fecundity was greatest in March and lowest in May. These data indicate that female B. bibax pass the winter in a photoperiodically maintained reproductive diapause.