Journal of Environmental Biology

Impact of seawater on development and reproduction of

red cotton bug, Dysdercus cingulatus (Fab.)

Author Details

K. Sahayaraj

(Corresponding author)

Crop Protection Research Centre, Department of Advanced Zoology and Biotechnology,

St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Palayamkottai - 627 002, India

e-mail: ksraj42@gmail.com

F.J. Gladis Belsi

Crop Protection Research Centre, Department of Advanced Zoology and Biotechnology, St. Xavier’s

College (Autonomous), Palayamkottai - 627 002, India

Publication Data

Paper received:

12 August 2010

Revised received:

03 March 2011

Accepted:

07 March 2011

Abstract

Distribution pattern of animals, modification of their life cycle and behaviours have been governed by climatic changes. It affects the insect from egg to adults. Eggs always face lot of stress either from biotic or abiotic threats. This study examined the flooding of Dysdercus cingulatus eggs with seawater alone and in combination with fresh water on the egg hatchability, survival and development, fecundity and hatchability of the hatched nymphs and adults, respectively under laboratory conditions. Flooding of egg in salt water, slightly and insignificantly increased the nymphal developmental period (24.2 days) of the insect. However, treatment has no impact on the survival of nymphs (95.4%). Fecundity (135.2 eggs female^-1), hatchability (77.51%) has been gradually decreased while the amount of sea water increased in the treated water. Results revealed that entering of seawater into the agriculture fields alter the reproduction of insects subsequently change the food web in the ecosystem.

Key words

Seawater impact, Red cotton bug, Dysdercus cingulatus

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