Effect of short-term cold temperature stress on development,survival and reproduction of Dysdercus koenigii (Hemiptera: Pyrrhocoridae)

Red cotton bug Dysdercus koenigii F. (Hemiptera: Pyrrhocoridae), is found destructive pest in various cotton growing areas. Under natural conditions insects are highly subjected to thermal stresses. In present work the developmental duration and survival rate of all immature stages, adult longevity and reproduction of D. koenigii by exposed to rapid changes in very low temperatures were studied. When 3 h short-stress of low temperatures (12–0 °C) was given to different stages of D. koenigii, the results revealed that survival rate of all stages were significantly reduced. Survival rate of female was significantly higher than male after exposed to cold temperature stress. Mating percentage, fecundity and hatching percentage were decreased significantly with the decrease of short-term cold temperature stress. Based on these results, we concluded that the developmental duration, survival rate and reproduction of D. koenigii significantly affected when they exposed to short term cold temperature stress.