No abstract

Big-eyed bugs Geocoris spp. (Lygaeidae, Hemiptera) are small insects that is found in many parts of the world. They are beneficial because they eat a multitude of insect pests in agriculture. Big-eyed bugs Geocoris spp. are insects that receive research attention in Florida and elsewhere because of the benefits that this species give to plants (Mead, 2001). Big-eyed bugs reproduce many generations in a year on weeds, perennial crops, bushes. In spring the female big-eyed bugs start laying eggs on the bud, the leaves of the host plant. Understanding the biology and the role of predator Geocoris spp. in ecosystem will provide an alternative method in sustainable agriculture development. In this short review, we discuss some convenient diets for the application of mass rearing Geocoris spp.

Application of powder diets may promote development of the predator Geocoris ochropterus (Fieber) when densities are low in greenhouses or fields. Development and nymphal survival ratio of G. ochropterus fed on different powder diets including silkworm pupae (A), crickets (B), silkworm pupae and sunflower seed (C) and crickets and sunflower seed (D) were examined. Total average development period was 30.14 days for instars fed on silkworm pupae, 34.43 days for instars fed on crickets, 26.28 days for instars fed on silkworm pupae and sunflower seed and 29.67 days for instars fed on crickets and sunflower seed, and they were significantly different. Head width, body length, forewing length, dry body weight of adults and sex ratio were not affected by the different diets. There were significantly different found in survival rates among the diets when the nymph reached 5th instar. Results indicate that the combination powder of silkworm pupae and sunflower seed will promise as an alternative diet in the greenhouses to maintain the population of G. ochropterus.