ABSTRACT
There have been recent reports on Mahanarva spectabilis (Distant), a spittlebug that is a pest of elephant grass, a forage with high potential for increasing intensive milk production. The objective of this study was to verify the effect of different hydration regimes on the development and viability of M. spectabilis eggs. Eggs were maintained in a climatic chamber at 28 ± 2° C and 12-hour photophase, in 5-cm-diameter Petri dishes lined with filter paper at different hydration regimes. Duration and viability of the 4 embryonic stages and the egg phase were evaluated daily. The results showed that the M. spectabilis eggs that were in daily contact with the water layer, or with the filter paper moistened or filter paper moistened at intervals of 2 or 5 days presented shorter durations and greater viabilities in all the embryonic development stages and in the incubation period (20 days). In the total absence of water, the eggs did not complete their development, demonstrating the decisive role of hydration in the embryonic period and viability of M. spectabilis.
KEY WORDS
Biology; incubation period; forage; spittlebugs