Life table parameters of the dubas bug, Ommatissus lybicus (Hem: Tropiduchidae) at three constant temperatures

Abstract

The dubas bug, Ommatissus lybicus Bergevin (Hemiptera: Tropiduchidae) is one of the major pests of date palm in Bam region, Iran. In this study, life table parameters of O. lybicus were studied at 25, 30 and 35°C. The experiments were conducted in a leaf cage at 60 ± 5% RH and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L: D) h. The survival rate (l_x) of individuals developed to adults from the initial cohort stages was estimated 0.78, 0.84 and 0.43 at 25, 30 and 35°C, respectively. The longest and shortest life expectancy (e_x) of the pest was 91.9 and 62.5 days at 25 and 35°C, respectively at the beginning of life. These results indicate that 30°C could be the optimum temperature for the biological activities of O. lybicus.

Key words: Ommatissus lybicus, Bam, life table, temperature.