Abstract
Red Cotton Bug, Dysdercus koenigii F., (Hemiptera: Pyrrhocoridae) is an important pest of cotton in South East Asia. Studies
were carried out during 2012 to find the effect of temperature on incubation period and to explore the reproductive biology
and bionomics of D. koenigii under laboratory conditions. Minimum incubation period (4.70±0.42 days) was recorded at
35°C while the eggs failed to hatch at 40°C at 70-75% relative humidity. There were five nymphal instars which completed
their development in 23.42±2.49 days. The female lived longer (20.85±6.12 days) than the male (16.18±6.06 days). Each
female mated three times in her life and there was statistically significant difference in mating duration (days), number of
eggs laid and hatching percentage in each mating time. Number of eggs and hatching percentage was significantly higher
after 1st time mating followed by 2nd and 3rd time matings. Duration of pre-oviposition, oviposition and post oviposition
period recorded was 7.47±0.86, 12.43±0.82 and 8.77±2.41 days, respectively. The study will help in devising pest
management strategy against D. koenigii.
