EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON THE GROWTH AND BIOENERGETICS OF LACCOTREPHES-GRISEUS (HEMIPTERA, NEPIDAE)

1. Patterns of energy balance in the life stages of Laccotrephes griseus were studied after exposure to different temperatures (20, 25, 30 and 35-degrees-C). 2. Nymphal development of L. griseus was prolonged at 20-degrees-C compared to 25, 30 and 35-degrees-C. 3. Rates of consumption, assimilation, production and metabolism increased with increasing temperature; nymphs reared at lower temperature consumed, assimilated and produced more by extending the nymphal duration. 4. Efficiencies of assimilation and conversion of digested food were significantly altered by life stage and temperature. 5. About 52% of the total growth was allocated to egg production at the tested temperatures.