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6475

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This is to certify that the

thesis entitled

Some Factors Involved in a
Method for Rearing the Boxelder 51g,
Legtocoris trivittatus Say.

presented by

Robert C. Wilkinson, Jr.

has been accepted towards fulfillment

of the requirements for

Mas/Lars degree in W

Q
/

 

Date Jul-j 204 1950

0-169

} Major professor

0
' -——‘

 

 

 

 

PLACE TN RETURN BOX to remove this checkout from your record.
TO AVOID FINES return on or before date due.

DATE DUE DATE DUE DATE DUE

 

 

 

 

 

Nev Q 9 1994

"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MSU Is An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution
c:\clrc\datedue.pm}p.1

 

 

SOME FACTORS INVOLVED IN A METHOD FOR HEARING
THE BOXELDER BUG, LEPTOCORIS TRIVITTATUS SAY.

BY
ROBERT C. WILKINSON, JR.
.3-

A THESIS
Submitted to the school of Graduate Studies of Michigan
State College of Agriculture and Applied Science
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of

MASTER OF SCIENCE

Department of Entomology
1950

The: :6

Acknowledgement

 

I would like to offer personal appreciation to those
members of the college entomological and botanical staffs
who gave information and suggestions essential to the

solution of the problem.

237564

Contents

CLASSIFICATION............. ...... . ........... . ........ .
DESCRIPTION............................................
DRAWING OF BOXELDER BUG.... ....... .....................
SYNONYMY...............................................
REVIEW OF LITERATURE.. .......... . ........... ...........
HISTORY, HABITS, AND CONTROL...........................
METHODS OF STUDY.......................................
MATERIALS USED.........................................
PROCEDURE, DISCUSSION, AND RESULTS.....................
Tests in a ”fixed” temperature room............ ..... .
Tests under “normal“ classroom conditions............
Outdoor tests........................................
Fungus growth........................................
Relative humidity......... ........ ...................
Temperature.. ....... ........................ ...... ...
Light...................................... ....... ...
SUMMARI......... .......... ................... ........ ..
Feeding habits............ ...... .....................
Egg-laying sites.... ..... ............................
Egg-laying and hatching rates...... ..... .............
Nymph survival... ..... ...............................
Nymph mortality......................................
Nymph molting.......... ..... .........................

Average11:6scheduIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...OOOOOOOOOOOOOO

(DUIIFOINI-‘t-‘(R

10
12
12
23
24
24
28
27
27
28
28
28
28
29
29
29
29

Page
Average life schedule table.......................... 30

Optimum conditions for rearing........ ........ ....... 30

Containers...........................

0......00...00.. 30

Literature cited....................................... 31

Igtroduction

At the beginning of the fall term in 1949, it was sug-
gested that the writer investigate possibilities for rearing
the boxelder bug, Leptocoris trivittatus Say.

The reason for considering the project as material ade-
quate for use in a thesis, after first attempts failed, was
the importance attached to the feasibility of utilizing these
insects for chemical spraying tests. The suitableness of the
boxelder bug for this purpose was based on its perennial a-
bundance, coupled with the fact that the various stages offer
considerable resistance to control by common, chemical means.

The problem, simply, was one of determining how to pro-
pagate the boxelder bug in an inside laboratory, with commonly
available materials and equipment, in such a manner that the
various stages could be drawn from surplus stock to be used
for testing throughout the year.

The following is a record of such an attempt.

CLASSIFICATION, DESCRIETION. AND SYNONYMY

CLASSIFICATION:
Phylum Arthr0poda
Class Hexapoda
Order Hemiptera (Heteroptera)
Family Coreidae (Corizidae)
Genus ggptocoris Hahn 1831
Species trivittatus Say 1825

DESCRIPTION (g): (Plate 1, immediately following)

"Elongate-oval, depressed above, subconvex beneath.
Above fuscous-black, very finely pubescent, subOpaque;
ocelli, narrow, median line and broader, marginal stripe
of pronotum behind transverse impression, also its hind
margin very narrowly, clear red; costal and apical margins,
and usually the nervures of elytra, dorsum and inner wings,
red, or in part orange-yeIIOW; membrane fuscous; under sur-
face fuscous-black, the margins and middle of abdomen, the
sides of eternal pleurae and the coxae, red; eyes brown.
Head and pronotum minutely granulate-punctate, the latter
with an elevated, narrOW, median line behind the transverse
impression; beak reaching hind coxae, joint (1) as long as
head, (3) and (4) subequal, (2) longest. Scutellum and
elytra similarly punctate, length 11-13.5 mm., width 3-4 mm.“

Plate 1. Drawings of boxelder bug (after E.O. Essig (9),p. 333)

 

3-. {Qat- {vi/d

 

foams
\

Figure l. Dorsal view of external anatomy. X7.

 

Figure 2. Lateral view of head and thorax. X7.

err/cum (g):
Leptocoris trivittatus (Say) 1825
Serinethg trivittata (Say)

 

Lygaeus trivittatus Say

Review'gf3Literature

Thomas Say (28) gave the historical description of
Leptocoris trivittatus in 1825, while Blatchley (g) pictured
the insect in detail a century later, together with defi-
nitions of the pertinent family, tribe, and genus. Van
Duzee ($9) catalogued the complete classification. Eeeig (g)
has listed a brief synonomy, but excluded dates and sources.

Although many brief, general accounts and notes have
been published to date, Smith and Shepard (gs) have apparently
written the only complete discussion of the life history and
food habits.

The internal anatomy of this insect was made the sub-
ject of a study by Wooley (2;), and Payne (ga), (28) de-
scribed the genitalia and associated phenomena. Kay (ll),
(12) investigated some of the microecOpic life found in the
body tracts. E

Peterson (g1) has included vahuable information on
insect-rearing, much of it based on a pioneer paper concern—
ing temperature and humidity effects by Smith (g1). A
method of humidity control, with tables, was authored by
Stevens (pg).

Bare (I), Lomax (lg), McDaniel (2;), Metcalf and Flint
(gg), and Munro and Post (23) have written about the prin-
ciple control measures which have proven more or less

effective against the boxelder bug.

REVIEW OF HISTORY, HABITS, AND CONTROL

HISTORICAL:

Originally described as inhabiting the Missouri terri—
tory, yearly insect-pepulation reports have indicated pro-
gressive north and eastward extension of the insects‘ range.

This spread has been attributed to homestead plantings
of the boxelder, §g§£3neggndo L., which, with its five
varieties, covers most of the United States.

HABITS:

After overwintering under rocks, debris, or in houses,
the adults leave hibernation during early spring to feed,
mate, and lay eggs in the Opening buds, on flowers, seeds,
or in bark crevices of pistillate boxelder trees.

The nymphs emerge in two weeks time, feed, and molt
five times before reaching maturity in about two months
time. Total life cycles require from fifty to seventy-
eight days time. In warmer climates two generations occur
each year.

Other than a housewifely regard of the bug as a
nuisance, little importance is attached to the pest,
economically speaking. The insect does not ordinarily attack
humans, however, Usinger (gg) reported such an attack after
fasting, and observed feeding on beefeteak. He also raised

nymphs through several instars on blood serum.

Knowlton observed feeding on moribund bees, while
cannibalism on devitalized bugs is common in the laboratory.
Ordinarily, nymphs and adults feed on the foliage,

tender shoots, flowers, and fruit of boxelder, with occas-
sional attacks on ash and maple. The nymphs descend or fall
to the ground, where they have been observed to feed on
twenty-three known species of weeds and grasses.

Feeding on immature and ripe fruit of apple, cherry,
peach, plum, and grape by nymphs and adults have caused
much damage at times in the West. Hutson (IQ) found all
stages attacking everbearing strawberry foliage and fruit
with resultant death of many of the plants.

CONTROL:

A brief survey of the methods used for control is
included here, since the reason for undertaking such a
study was based on ultimate use of the insect for insecti—
cidal tests.

Nymphs have been killed by drenching them with cold
water, kerosene, and oil, or by spraying with soap solutions
of nicotine. Dusting with 4 percent nicotine has been
effective.

All stages have been controlled by drenching masses

with kerosene emulsions, hot water, and solutions of Draft.

Various contact sprays such as pyrethrum, derris,
thiocyanate, and nicotine, in concentration twice as strong
as those used for aphids, have been tried with some success.
Use of two-percent solutions of chlordane, lindane, toxaphene,

and a nitrOparaffin compound has shown excellent results (g3).

Methods gf_Studz

Semi-dormant, adult bugs were collected from outdoors
during the fall and stored in a two-quart mason jar, with
small perforations in the lid, at temperatures Just above
freezing. Additional stock was obtained from outside sources
during the winter.

Boxelder seed, referred to as seed in the following
discussion, was collected from trees before frost occurred,
and during the winter. A series of tests was carried out to
determine what temperature was best suited for storage, but
viability of seed stored at room temperature was not found to
be appreciably different from that of seed subjected to single
temperatures, or combinations of temperature changes above
and below freezing.

The bugs were bred in different kinds of containers, and
offered various, available foods.

Those cages containing plants were either placed directly
under, and two feed distant from, two banks of continuously-
Operating, fluorescent lights, or were SXpOBGd to sunlight
from a south-facing window. Other cages were eXposed either
to the fluorescent rays at a five to ten-foot distance, or
were eXposed to sunlight.

Data was taken throughout the work regarding preference
for egg-laying sites, rates of egg-laying and hatching,
dates of ecdysis, and time required for total life Cycle.
Results were checked by repetition whenever successful rear-

ing was obtained.

Eggs were removed daily from the cages and placed in
covered petri dishes lined with a bottom covering of filter
paper, moistened with wet cotton.

Indoor room conditions were checked regularly during the
processes. A Tycos Hygrodeik was set up, and relative humi-
dity readings taken with a twelve-inch fan creating the re-
quired air current. A revolving-drum-type thermograph re-
corded temperaturee, and was found to vary not more than plus
or ndnus one degree Fahrenheit from readings on two standard,

liquid thermometers, placed at different points in the room.

LIST OF MATERIAL USED

EQUIPMENT:
1. Tycos hygrodeik.
2. Electric fan.
3. Thermograph. -
4. Two standard, liquid thermometers.

Two banks of dual fluorescent lights.
Refrigerator.

Dissecting microsc0pe with grid lens.

HEARING CONTAINERS:

1.
2.

11.
18.
13.
14.
15.

Glass battery jars.

Two-quart mason jars.
Cardboard ice-cream containers.
Circular, wire screen cages.
Wire screen cage, 1%' x 2' x 2'.
Glass lamp chimney cages.

Glass terrarium.

Petri dishes.

Test tubes.

One—half pint milk bottles.
Miscellaneous glass jars.
Cotton.

Filter paper.

Cheesecloth.

Vaseline.

ITEMS FOR FEEDING AND WATERING:
1. Cotton.
2. Glass vials.
3. Syracuse watch glasses.
4. Boxelder seed and assorted foods.
5. Flower pots in water containers.
6. Scotch tape, string, sticks, and pins for fastening

food in containers.

-11-

PROCEDURE. RESULTS. AND DISCUSSION

TESTS CARRIED ON IN A ”FIXED" TEMPERATURE ROOT/2.
Temperatugg:

The temperature maintained was 800 F., plus or minus
2°. Optimum range for a large number of temperate-zone
species is reported to be from 75° to 800 F. (g).

To assume that this temperature prevailed both in
and outside of the cages would be erroneous. The follow-
ing table allows for more accurate estimate of conditions
(£1).

Table l.--Eetimating tempggature changes within

gearing containers.

 

Condition created Internal temperature changes.

 

Exposure of uncovered Increase of 2° over surrounding
screen or glass cages air.

to sun or other light.

Covering cages with . Increase up to 10° over surrounding
38 x 44 weave cotton air.

gauze under light.

Covering cages with Increase is negligible.

gauze in shade.

Inclusion of plants maximum decrease of 7° F.

in cages.

 

~12-

Relative humidity:

The humidities varied widely, from a low of 33
percent to a maximum of 77 percent, with a mean of 57
percent. An increase of 5 percent over room humidity
might be expected in gauze-covered cages. Inclusion of
plant material would also increase humidities in the
containers.

Light:

Cotton gauze had been measured to cut down light
intensities from 75 to 45 candle power. Those gauze-
covered cages placed directly under light sources pro-
bably did not receive appreciably more light than glass
cages placed farther away.

3§99d and3feedigg habits:

Boxelder seed was offered in glass containers, with

water made available. Results are tabulated below.

Table 2.—-Feeding on boxelder seed.

 

 

Seed preparation g Feeding

Tater soaked. All stages refused.

Boiled nearly to All stages refused.

dryness.

Whole, dried. Adults and older nymphs fed readily.
Hulled. Adults and older nymphs fed.
Sprouted. All stages fed on unmolded food.
ChOpped, dried. All stages fed on unmolded food.
Green. All stages fed on unmolded food.

 

L3-

Boxelder seedlings were grown either in flower pots
covered with cylindrical screen, or glass, lamp-chimney
cages, or in a cotton gauze—covered terrarium.

All stages fed intermittently on seedlings, especially
the midribe of the more succulent leaves. Stems were in—
frequently attacked. Green foliage, detached from pietil—
late trees, was attacked, but molded readily. Dried seed
in cages with plants was preferred to foliage.

Everbearing strawberry plants were grown in wire
cages, in lamp-chimney cages, and in a terrarium.

Table 3.—-Results ofzfeedingon strawberry_plant§.

 

 

Conditions : Feeding
Plants and seed, Slight.
plus water.
Plants plus seed. Periodic.
Plants plus water. Some.
Plants. Periodic.

 

-14.-

Table 4.-Miscellaneous foods.

 

Food offered

Resultant feeding

 

ggults : Nymphs ‘
Germinated red snap SLight. Slight.
beans in test tube.
Red snap bean plants Slight. Slight.
in terrarium (with seed
and lettuce).
Hilkweed seeds and None. None.
plants in wire cage.
Forcing lettuce plants Slight. None observed.

with seed.

Sliced cucumber, and
dried, rolled oats.

Karo corn syrup, in
water solutions of 10,
20, 30, 40, and 50
percent concentration
through wick in small
vial.

Fruit fly agar infected
with mold.

Shepherd's Purse,
Capsella bursa-pastoris
TL.) Medic. and other
unidentified weeds.

Whole apples, with
water made available.

Cut apples, and water.

Eunhorbia humietrata
Engelm.

Not observed.

None.

Not observed.

Slight.

Some.

Some.

Slight.

None.

None.

None.

Slight.

Old nymphs, some.

All stages, some.

Heavy.

 

Pgeference for egg—laygpgsitga:
Eight cepulating pairs of bugs were included in a
cheeseclothpcovered battery jar containing water. Seed
and various common materials were placed in the container

in several positions.

Table 5.--Egg-laying site preferencg.

 

 

 

Place eggs were laid g Number laid
Wings of boxelder seeds 271
fastened to sides of jar.

Cheesecloth top. 127
String supporting seeds. 92
Jar walls and bottom. 48
Toweling in bottom of jar. 35
Water fountain. 8
Cheesecloth ball on side 1
of jar.
Cotton in bottom and on 0
sides of jar.

Total E 589

 

Egg—laying and hatching rates:

Table 6.-—Egg-laying and hatching.

 

Conditions

Eight couples
in cheesecloth-
covered battery
jar, with seed
and water.
(Fig. A, p. 18)

One couple in
ear as above.
Fig. B, p. 18)

One couple in
ear as above.
Fig. D, p. 19)

Seeds and seed-
linge in lamp-
chimney cage.

Terrarium contain.
ing seed, water,

strawberry, and

Average number eggs laid

per female.

74/15 days laying time.

195/20 days laying time.

312/30 days laying time.

48

355 total several

couples.

boxelder seedlings.

Lamp-c hi mney cage

77

with strawberry and

seed.

Cheesecloth-covered 142 (placed in con.

battery jar contain-
ing water supply,
chOpped seed, and
bottom—covering of

filter paper moistened

with cotton.

tainer)

Percent of eggs
hatched.

87 percent
(sample of 47)

48
45
48

61

62

50

 

-1 7...

 

 

NUMBER OF EGGS LAID PER DAY

NUMBER OF EGGS LAID PER DAY
. 30 .

60 60

4O

r30

/0

 

FIG. A:/~?A7‘£ OF EGG-LAYINGJBFEMALESJJBS EGGS

 

---————-._-

 

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DAYS REMOVED FROM REFRIGERATOR

no.8: Mir: 0/7 £GG-LAV/NGJOME PAIR BUGS/:19! £666

 

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2. 4 F 8 IO 12 14 16 18 20 2a {4
DAYS SINCE FIRST MA77NG

 

-18-

 

 

 

F/GCAE‘GG-LAY/NG R4727: ONE FEMALE: /83 EGGS

IO // /2'

NUMBER OF EGGS DA/LY

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77415 IN 04 KS or LAYING: "NORMAL” coma/news .

F/G.D."EGG-LAYING 142472— .‘0/VE FEMALEflWé £665

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NUMBER 5665 DAILY

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T/ME //v DAYS OF LAY/N6 .‘F/XEO TEMP.

O

 

-19..

 

Days required to hatch:

An average of five to six days was required for the

hatching of eggs. (Graph, Fig. E., p. 21.)
Nymgh deveIOpment:

Eggs from one parent were hatched in small, glass
dishes, with sprouted seed for food.

Daily counts taken of the living offspring showed
that the death-rate was highest during the first four days
after hatching. (Graph, Fig. F., p. 21.)

A number of nymphs were raised individually in small
containers, with Chopped seed for food, in order to observe

melting.

Table 7.--Summary of molting rates.

 

Instar number

00 00 .0

Average number of days
begore ecdysis.

4
II 4
III 6
IV 3

5

Total 22

-80..

 

 

 

 

 

 

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DAYS OF LIFE .‘ CMTPOLLEO TEMP I

-31-

The only nymphs which survived to maturity were

those fed on chopped seed.
fed deve10ped to the final stages.

Two-thirds of the nymphs thus

To measure the nymphs, 50 specimens were put in test

tubes with green seed for food.

After each molting,

measurements were made under an adjustable beam of light,

using a lens grid calibrated to tenths of a millimeter

mounted in a dissecting microsCOpe.

Table 8.--Measurement of nymgh instars.

 

 

 

Stage ; Length:;n mm.
3 Min. 5 Max. 3 Mean

Eggs 1.5 1.5 1.5

I 1.5 3.0 2.4

II 3.0 5.2 4.0
III 4.4 6.2 5.6
I'IV 5.5 7.9 7.0

V 7.7 10.7 9.2
Adults 10.0 13.5 12.0

 

*Black wing—pads become prominent.

-22...

TESTS CARRIED 0N UNDER 'NORXAL" CLASSROOX CONDITION:
Temperature:
Temperatures, as recorded from April to June, were
never below 68° F., or above 81° F.

Moisture:

Relative humidities varied from 27 to 80 percent

with a mean of 56 percent during the daytime.

Light:
Containers were eXposed to direct sunlight during the

greater part of the day.
Table 9.—-Egg—laying and hatching.

 

 

Conditions : Number of eggs laid : Percent of
: per female. : hatgglng.
Cheesecloth- 183/42 days laying 20
covered battery time.

Jar containing
seed and water.
(Fig. C, p. 19)

Cheesecloth. 35 29
covered lamp-

chimney cage

over seeds and

seedlings.

Cheesecloth- 125 (placed in jar) 72
covered battery

jar with chopped

seed, water, and

moist filter-paper-

bottom lining.

Cardboard, ice- 50 (placed in con- 50
cream container tainer)
with moist cotton.

Two-quart mason 3 0

jar with green
seeds and foliage.

-23..

nymph survivgl:

The only condition under which nymphs survived to
maturity was that in which they were fed on ChOpped seed
in a battery jar, with water made available. Two-thirds
of the nymphs completed their life cycles.

TESTS CARRIED OUT UNDER OUTDOOR CONDITIONS:
Conditions:

Two breeding couples were placed outdoors in a
15' x 2' x 2' wire screen cage containing seeds and seed-
lings. The cage was eXposed to weather on the south
side of a building during May and June.

Results:

Twenty-six eggs were laid per female, with 13.4

percent hatching, and one nymph deve10ping to maturity.
FUNGUS GROWTH:

The sudden, heavy mortality of nymphs led to belief
that parasitic fungi might be present. Mycelial growths
appeared on dead bugs, foliage, and other objects during
periods of high humidity.

Inspection of material and dead bugs revealed
species of Alternaria and Rhizogus to be present.

A particularly persistant fungus, with yellowish
conidiOphores, was identified by Doctor E. S. Beneke as

Aspergillus sulphureus (Class Ascomycetae).

-24—

Since Thom and Church (gs) made mention of entomo-
parasitism by the Aspergilli, it was decided to try to
determine if this last species had any appreciable
effect on the growth of nymphs.

For this purpose, six large petri dishes were out-
fitted with a bottom-covering of filter paper, a supply
of chopped and whole seed, and a sterilized source of
water. Three of the fountain wicks were then contami-
nated with samples from.a culture of,A. sulphureus. Ten
nymphs of various instars, from an outside source, were
put into each of the dishes, which were then placed under
a continuously-Operating light.

Table 10.——Results;p;_infection of water supply

with A. sulphureus.

 

Infected water supply Non-infected water supply

 

Dish number : Number dead

Number dead
after 8 days.

Dish number

after 8 days.

 

 

I (10 nymphs) 7 I 3
11 6 II 9
.lll, 6 .. Ell» §
Total ? 19 E? Total I 20

 

No correlation between presence of fungus and mortality was

observed.

-25-

RELATIVE HUMIDITY:

Humidity is probably the most important, single factor
that can be varied to retard fungus growth. The majority
of the Aspergilli, for instance, grow well and sporulate
most abundantly within the Optimum, insect-rearing range
(75°—80° F.), while temperature is known to be a critical
factor in growth for only a few species of this group.
((31), pp. 45-7).

Below relative humidities of 70 percent, little
danger exists from mold development in most materials,
according to Curtis and Clark (1). To allow for an in.
crease of 5 percent in cheeseclothpcovered cages, the
maximum allowable relative humidity in the room should be
near 65 percent.

Steps to prevent high humidities from occurring
should include circulation of air, inclusion of absorptive
material in containers, such as filter paper, use of the
most permeable cage-covering practicable, and selection of
wide—mouthed vessels, such as battery jars, for prepagation.

TEMPERATURE:

maintenance of a constant rearing temperature is neces-
sary not only for obtaining stable humidities, but also to
avoid water condensation on surfaces within the cages. To
allow for an approximate increase of 5° F. in a cheesecloth-
covered battery jar over outside temperatures, the room
temperature should probably not vary more than two degrees

from a mean of 72° F. for Optimum conditions.

LIGHT:
During rearing the use of continuously-Operating,
artificial light appears to be an adequate, if not superior,
substitute for sunlight, since a greater number of eggs

were laid in shorter periods of time (in most cases).

-27-

SUMMARY

METHODS:

Boxelder bugs were introduced into cages containing
various foods. Observations were made on food habits, re-
production, and mortality factors under different condi-
tions of light, moisture, and temperature.

RESULTS:
Feeding_habits:

All stages will feed on finely-chOpped, dry seed,
sprouted seed, seedlings, strawberry foliage, bean plants,
weeds, and cut apple.

ChOpped, dry seed is the most suitable food for
nymphs.

Adults and large nymphs will feed on whole seed,
hulled seed, and whole apples.

All stages do not feed on water-soaked seed, boiled
seed, milkweed seeds and plants, cucumber, corn syrup,
fruit fly agar, and rolled oats.

Dry, whole seed is the most suitable food for adults
and older nymphs.

Egg-laying sites:

Seed fastened to the side of a battery jar is the

most preferred place for laying.
Egg-laying and hatching rates:
Rates of egg-laying varied from zero to 312 per

female under all conditions.

-28-

Under the same favorable conditions females in
separate containers laid from 74 to 312 eggs apiece.
Eight females in a single container laid noticeably
less eggs per female than did single females under the
same favorable conditions.
The percent of hatching varied from zero to 87
percent under all conditions.
In most cases, from 40 to 60 percent of eggs will
hatch under favorable conditions.
Rearing in eXposed, outdoor cages is unsatisfactory
for egg-laying and hatching.
Nymph survival:
Two-thirds of nymphs raised on chopped, boxelder
seed survived; other methods failed.
Nymph mortality:
The most critical period in raising nymphs is during
the first instar.
Nymph molggpg:
Five meltings took place during a period of 22 days.
AN AVERAGE LIFE SCHEDULE FOR.ARTIFICIALLY-REARED BOXELDER BUGS.
Conditions:
Temperature: 800 plus or minus 2° F.
Humi dit y: high.
Food: Adults: whole, dried seeds.
Nymphs: chopped seeds.

Water: available in cotton—wick vial.

Table l.-Average life schedule.

 

 

Number of days from : Activity
dormancy. :
0—3 Adults feed.
3 Cepulation begins.
6 First eggs laid.
10-11 First eggs hatch, and
greatest rate of egg-
laying.
16 First ecdysis.
21 Second ecdysis.
24 End of egg-laying.
26 Third ecdysis.
31 Fourth ecdysis.
35 Fifth ecdysis.
39 Final ecdysis, and emer-

gence of adults.

OPTIKUM CONDITIONS TO BE MAINTAINED:
Temperatures should vary little from a mean of 72° F.
Relative humidities should be kept below 65 percent.
Air circulation should be maintained.
Continuous light should be maintained for most rapid
reproduction.
CONTAINERS:
Battery jars covered with cheesecloth are the beet known

rearing containers for boxelder bugs.

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

Literature Cited

Bare, O. S.

1946. Boxelder bugs. Neb. Agri. EXp. Sta. Ext.

Circ. 1545.
Bird, R. D.

1937. Records of northward migration of southern
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69(5)119-20.

Blatchley, w. s.

1926. HeterOptera or true bugs of eastern North
America, with eSpecial reference to the
faunas of Indiana and Florida. 1116 pp.,
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Britton, W. E.

1923. Guide to the insects of Conn.; Conn. State
0601. and Nat. Hist. Survey Bul. 34, 807 pp.,
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Craighead, F. O.

1950. Insect enemies of eastern forests. U.B.D.A.

Misc. Pub. 657:11.
Crosby, C. R.

1934. The Boxelder bug in New York. Jour. Econ. Ent.

27: 1196.
Curtis, 0. F., and D. G. Clark
1950. An introduction to plant physiology., p. 568.

(8) Essig, E. 0.
1911. Injurious and beneficial insects of California.
Supplement, The Monthly Bul. Calif. State
Comm. of Hort.
(9) ---------- -.
1926. Insects of western North America. 1035 pp.,
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(10) Hutson, R. E.
1932. Boxelder bug on strawberries. Jour. Econ. Ent.
25: 1107.
(11) Key, M. W.
1940. Two, new amoebae from the boxelder bug, 22239-
coris trivittatus Say. Amer. Midland Nat.
23(3): 724-29.
(12) --; ...... .
A study of Herptomonas leptocogigie (McCullogh)
of the alimentary canal of g; trivittatus Say.
Trans. Amer. Microsc. Soc. 61(2): 120-30.
(13) Knowlton. G. F.
1941. Boxelder bug feeding habits. Jour. Econ. Ent.
34: 326.
(14) -——-—---~—--—-.
1944. Boxelder bug observations. Jour. Econ. Ent.
37: 443.
(15) .............. .
1947. Boxelder bug nymphs feeding on dead honey bees.
Jour. Econ. Ent. 40: 915.

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Langford, G. 9., and E. N. Cory.

1939. Common insects of lawns, ornamental shrubs,

and shade trees. Md. Ext. Bul. 84: 31.

mex,J.W.

1948. Household pest control chart. Neb. Ag. Ext.

Circ. 1553.
Long, W. H.

1928. Why only staminate boxelders should be used

for shade trees. Jour. Econ. Ent. 21(2): 433-

34.
McAtee, W. L.

1918. Notes on nearctic hemiptera. Ent. News.

37(1): 13.

KcDaniel, E. I.

1933. The boxelder bug as a household pest.
Sta. Quart. Bul. 15(4): 226-27.

1936. Lgptocoris trivittatus Say killed by a sulfon—

ated higher alcohol spray. Jour. Econ. Ent.

29: 1176.
Metcalf, C. L., and W. P. Flint.

1939. Destructive and useful insects. Edit. II, 981

illus., New York.
Munro, J. A., and H. W. Riddle.
1930. Insect pests of trees and gardens.
............ , and R. L. Post.
1949. Control of boxelder bugs. Jour. Econ.

42(6): 994.
.33-

Mich.

Ent.

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Payne, A. M.

1934. Intravitam studies, description male reproductive
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1936. Intravitam studies on the hemipteron, Leptocoris
trivittatus. Zool. Jahrb. Abt. Anat. u.
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Peterson, A.

1934. A manual of entomological equipment and methods,

Pt. I, pp. 10-20, Edwards Bros., Ann Arbor.
Say, T.

1859. The complete writings of Thomas Say on the
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Le Conte, M. D., Vol. II, New York.
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.............. , and B. L. Shepard
1937. The life history and control of the boxelder
bug in Kansas. Trans. Kans. Acad. Sci.
40: 143-59.
------_-—--—-., and E. G. Kelly.
1950. The twentieth annual insect pOpulation summary
of Kansas. Jour. Kan. Ent. Soc. 23(1).
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1931. Wash EXp. Sta. Bul. 260: 33. (damage to apple)
Stevens, N. E.
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........ , and K. B. Raper.
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U. 9. Dept. Agri.
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van Duzee, E. P.
1917. Catalogue of the Hemiptera of America north of
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(41.) Wooley, T. A.
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(42.) Yothers, M. A.
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-35-

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