Date of Award:

5-1-1977

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Biology

Department name when degree awarded

Life Sciences:Biology

Committee Chair(s)

B. Austin Haws

Committee

B. Austin Haws

Committee

Arlo Richardson

Committee

Brien E. Norton

Abstract

A study of some effects of different temperatures on the development of the black grass bug (Labops hesperius Uhler) was conducted in the laboratory and the results compared with the insect's development in the field. The purpose of this study was to develop a method of rearing grass bugs in the laboratory so research with these insects could be conducted all year, and to formulate a growing degree hour model that might help predict hatching and development of the bugs in the laboratory and field, and be a guide in timing proper control measures in the field. L. hesperius were reared from eggs through the adult stage. Laboratory rearing is now possible. The data obtained revealed that the total energy in GDH necessary to produce full development was constant for the developmental temperatures compared. At temperatures of 80° F (26.7° C) and 65-75° F (18.3-23.9° C), L. hesperius needed 13429 and 13189 GDH° C, respectively, to develop from hatching to adult stage. The data also suggest that there was no difference in GDH necessary to produce females and males, but these results were inconclusive. Phenoclimatographic data indicate that there was a high correlation in the growing degree hours required for the insect development in the laboratory and in the field; therefore, it is believed the growing degree hour model developed could be useful in the laboratory and field in predicting hatching and development of the grass bug instars, sexual maturity and longevity of the adults. Being able to predict grass bug development will be valuable in formulating recommendations for chemical control of L. hesperius.

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