Redescription, biology and behaviour of the Harpactorine assassin bug Irantha armipes (Stal) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)
Ponovni opis, biologija in vedenje roparske stenice vrste Irantha armipes (Stal) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Harpactorinae)

english

2008

volume 16, issue 1

Prirodoslovni muzej Slovenije

A redescription of Irantha armipes (Stal) is given and its behaviour in the laboratory is described. Irantha armipes eggs have brown chorion and white rim-collar veil covering a brown convex, finely sculptured operculum. A femaleon average laid 97.28 3.2 eggs in 12.9 0.86 clusters with 1 to 15 eggs per cluster. The eggs hatched after 9.1 0.77 days. The developmental durations of the I, II, III and IV nymphal instars and V nymphal instar to adult male and adult female were 8.2 0.67, 9.4 0.78, 10.1 0.91, 9.8 0.82, 9.8 0.68 and 11.2 0.91 days respectively. Measurements and illustration of life stages are given with a key to identify the nymphal stages. The sex ratio of male and female was 1 : 0.94. The preoviposition, oviposition and postoviposition periods were 9.8 0.62, 72 4.5 and 4.5 0.29 days respectively. The adult males and females lived for 76.9 6.1 and 86.4 4.6 days. Sequential acts of predatory behaviour such as arousal, approach, capturing, paralysing, sucking and postpredatory behaviour were observed. The sequential acts of mating behaviour were excitation, approach, nuptial clasp including riding over, genitalia extension, connection achievement and postcopulatory behaviour.

16.09.2009