Effect of Feeding on Three Eucalyptus Species on the Development of Brontocoris tabidus (Het.: Pentatomidae) Fed with Tenebrio molitor (Col.: Tenebrionidae)

Brontocoris tabidus (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) is an important predator of defoliating Lepidoptera in Brazil, which has been mass produced and released against defoliating caterpillars in Eucalyptus plantations. We aimed to improve the mass production of this predator by providing eucalypt seedlings, in addition to an alternative prey, for its development. The effect of three Eucalyptus species on the development of B. tabidus fed with Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) pupae, was studied at a temperature of 25.0 ±2.5 o C; a relative humidity of 70.0 ±10.0% and a photophase of 12:12 hours (light:dark). Pupae of T. molitor were provided in each of the following feeding treatments: treatment 1, Eucalyptus urophylla seedlings; treatment 2, Eucalyptus camaldulensis seedlings; treatment 3, Eucalyptus grandis seedlings; and treatment 4, no seedling (only pupae of T. molitor ). Duration of the nymphal phase of the predator was similar in all treatments with plant and prey. It was observed that adults developed from nymphs fed on T. molitor only, had deformed wings and a small abdomen. B. tabidus fed during their nymphal and adult stages with prey together with Eucalyptus seedlings, had improved longevity, higher egg viability and a larger number of eggs and nymphs, than those insects fed only with prey. Therefore, it seems advisable to rear B. tabidus with prey and seedlings of Eucalyptus species, to improve the mass production of this predator for biological control of defoliating caterpillars of eucalypt plantations.