BIOLOGY OF PAINTED BUG (BAGRADA-CRUCIFERARUM)

An experiment was conducted during July 1988-July 1990 to study the bi ology of painted bug (Bagrada cruciferarum Kirkaldy). The pest remaine d active throughout the year at Hisar (Haryana). Two peaks in its popu lation were observed during October-November and March-April, coincidi ng with seeding and maturing stages of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) an d Indian mustard [B. juncea (L.) Czernj. & Cosson] crops. An average t emperature of 22-25-degrees-C coupled with 54% relative humidity was o ptimum for its development. Out of 29 hosts observed, the pest was see n feeding on 8 plant species for the first time. The 5 nymphal instars were completed in 19.54. 17.67 and 33.65 days during April (average t emperature 30.4-degrees-C), May (average temperature 35.8-degrees-C) a nd in the biological oxygen demand (BOD) incubator at 28 +/-2-degrees- C respectively. The female and male adults survived for 25.9 and 20.9 days during April, 16 and 15.6 days in incubator at 28 +/- 2-degrees-C , and 10.9 and 7.8 days during May respectively. Average fecundity/day was almost equal, ie 10.7, 9.1 and 9.9 eggs per female in April, May and in the incubator respectively. The eggs hatched in 6.22 days in Ap ril, 3.28 days in May and 6.27 days in the incubator, with average via bility of 90.5 - 96.1%.