Some biological, morphological and behavioral aspects of adults Podisus sculptus Distant, 1889 (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae) fed with Bombyx mori Linnaeus, 1758 (Lepidoptera, Bombycidae) (fourth and fifth instar caterpillars) and Tenebrio molilor Linnaeus, 1758 (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) (third and fourth instar caterpillars) were studied and no differences were found between these two preys. Average values for the parameters studied were: period of pre-oviposition (6.14 days), oviposition (8.57 days) and pos-oviposition (3.57 days); number of eggs/female (97.71); number of postures/female (3.96); female weight (68.90mg) and male weight (47.43mg). Podisus sculptus has brownish color, and four yellow spots in the scutelum: one close to the head and three across the elitra near the pronotum. Matings were more frequent between 15 and 19 hours and the male search for the female which showed movements of antennae. This insect showed cannibalism only in high population density and shortage of food.
Heteroptera; Podisus sculptus; behavior; biological aspects; morphology