Lygus lineolaris (Heteroptera: Miridae) population dynamics: nymphal development, life tables, and Leslie matrices on selected weeds and cotton

Linear models for total or stage-specific nymphal development were not different among 9 weed hosts and cotton; they extrapolate to a lower threshold of c10°C. A truncated normal model from green beans resulted in an upper threshold of c34°C and a curve breadth that suggests a temperature-generalist life strategy. Percentage of time per instar was influenced by the host. Nymphal survivorship was high on weed hosts but poor on cotton Gossypium hirsutum. The sex ratio was 1:1 and was not influenced by host. Adult survivorship and total fecundity was higher on cotton than Erigeron annuus, but the net fecundity was higher on the weed. More eggs were deposited in cotton buds than other parts of the cotton plant except the terminal. Birth rates were similar on E. annuus and cotton, but cohorts on cotton had a higher death rate and longer generation time. The intrinsic rate of increase on cotton was about half that on E. annuus. The stable-stage distribution was unaffected by host and was about 0.50, 0.40, and 0.10 for eggs, nymphs, and adults, respectively. Host influenced the time of convergence. Analyses suggest an r-selected life strategy. -from Authors