The biology of the cotton stainer, Dysdercus peruvianus Guérin-Méneville, was studied at seven temperatures (18, 20, 22, 25,28, 30 and 32ºC) in order to determine the thermal requirements. Bugs did not develop at 32ºC. On the other six temperatures they showed five instars. The life cycle ranged from 25.1 to 68.5 days when reared at 30ºC and 18ºC, respectively. Although the mortality during the two first nymphal instars at all temperatures did not differ, D. peruvianus showed higher mortality for the entire nymphal stage at higher temperatures. The lower threshold temperature for the development from egg to adult of D. peruvianus was 12.86ºC and its thermal requirements was 419.66 degree-days (DD). The lower threshold temperature for eggs of D. peruvianus was 10.46ºC and for nymphal stages 9.98ºC, 12.58ºC, 13.73ºC, 13.93ºC and 11.91°C (for the 1°, 2°, 3°, 4°and 5° instars, respectively).
Insecta; cotton stainer; thermal requirements; integrated pest management; rearing techniques
