Insects of the sub-order Heteroptera present a wide diversity including predators of agricultural and forest pests. Species of the genus Podisus are important agents of biological control of defoliating caterpillars of eucalyptus, soybem, cotton and tomato. The objective was to study the reproductive behavior and predation rate of Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) fed with Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) pupae in the laboratory. Pairs of this predator were placed in 500 ml plastic pots with T. molitor pupae and water in tubes of anesthetic odontologic type inserted in the lid. The egg masses were removed and matting and feeding of males and females P. nigrispinus were observed at 12:00 AM, 06:00 AM, 12:00 PM and 06:00 PM. The percentages of females of P. nigrispinus predating were 26.26, 24.39, 15.91 and 34.21%, and males 7.41, 6.20, 4.88 e 5.77% at 12:00 AM, 6:00AM, 12:00 PM and 06:00 PM, respectively. The largest number of females of this predator laying eggs was observed at 12:00 AM. The largest percentage of females predating was observed at 6:00 PM (32.21%) and the maximum number of eggs masses laid at 12:00 AM (50.56% of the eggs deposited) while only 1.66% of them were registered at 12:00 AM. The number of mating of P. nigrispinus was higher at 12:00 PM (34.58%) followed by those at 12:00 AM (29.65%) 06:00 PM (22.36%) and 06:00 AM (16.60%).
Biological control; activity schedule; predator and mass rearing
