Demography of the Predaceous Bug Xylocoris sordidus (Reuter)

Life tables and tables of age-specific fecundity were constructed for the predaceous bug Xylocoris sordidus (Reuter) for a relative humidity of ca. 100% and temperatures ranging from 20-35 C. These tables were used to calculate the innate capacity for increase, the finite rate of increase, the generation time, the gross rate of reproduction and the net rate of reproduction. A moist substrate, such as water-soaked peanut shells or elderberry pith, is essential for oviposition and egg hatch. The lower temperature limit for development lies between 15 and 20 G, and the upper limit lies between 35 and 40 C. Xylocoris sordidus is capable of population growth over the temperature range of 20-35 C, and the maximum rate of increase occurs at 35 C.