LABORATORY MEASUREMENT OF PREDATION BY PODISUS-MACULIVENTRIS AND P-SAGITTA (HEMIPTERA, PENTATOMIDAE) ON BEET ARMYWORM (LEPIDOPTERA, NOCTUIDAE)

Predation rates for nymphs and adults of the predatory stink bugs, Pod isus maculiventris (Say) and Podisus sagitta (F.), on the different de velopmental stages of the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hubner), w ere measured in the laboratory. Development and survival of predator n ymphs also were monitored to evaluate prey suitability. The predators displayed high predation rates against different stages of the beet ar myworm. However, eggs, first- and second-instar caterpillars, and adul ts of S. exigua proved to be less suitable prey for late instars and a dults of both pentatomids. Predation rates of P. maculiventris were si milar to or slightly higher than those of the smaller-sized P. sagitta . Results are discussed in relation to experimental conditions (search ing arena, temperature) and quality of laboratory-reared predators.