Life history and laboratory rearing of Arilus cristatus (Heteroptera : Reduviidae) in southern Illinois

The life history of Arilus cristatus (L.) was studied in southern Illinois from March 1997 to November 1998. The bug also was reared in the laboratory at 26 +/- 0.5 degrees C under a 16:8 (L:D) photoperiod. This univoltine sp ecies overwintered as eggs. First instars were found from early May to late June, second instars from mid-May to early June, third instars from late M ay to early July, fourth instars from early June to mid-July, fifth instars from early June to mid-August, and adults from early July to late November . In the laboratory, the five nymphal stadia averaged 15.64, 14.04, 15.17, 20.53, and 28.61 d, respectively. Also, the incubation periods of two egg c lusters oviposited by two field-collected females were 60 and 61 d.