Comparative Laboratory Rearing of Mecidea major and M. minor (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

The stink bugs Mecidea major Sailer and M. minor Ruckes were reared from egg to adult under controlled laboratory conditions at 25 ± 0.01 °C, 79.3 ± 0.05% humidity, and a photoperiod of LD 14:10 h, on Eragrostis lehmanniana Nees. The incubation period for M. major eggs averaged 5.67 d, and the five stadia 3.54, 5.56, 4.94, 5.62, and 9.63 d, respectively. The incubation period for M. minor eggs averaged 6.00 d, and the five stadia 3.20, 6.53, 4.48, 5.56, and 8.81 d, respectively. Total developmental time averaged 34.96 and 34.58 d for M. major and M. minor, respectively, and did not differ significantly between sexes within each species. However, it did differ within females between species.