Factors affecting the distribution of two mirid bugs, Creontiades pallidus (Rambur) and Campylomma diversicornis (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Miridae) and notes on the parasitoid Leiophron decifiens Ruthe (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

This study shows how altitude, levels off lowering and squaring, and plant height are associated with the distribution and infestation rate of cotton fields by two mirid bugs, Creontiades pallidus (Rambur) and Campylomma diversicornis (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Miridae) in the southeastern Anatolia region of Turkey. We also describe the relationship between these mirids and the euphorine parasitoid, Leiophron decifiens (Ruthe) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Cotton field infestation by C. pallidus was negatively correlated with altitude and positively correlated with density of cotton squares and flowers. In contrast, C. diversicornis was present in all sampled fields together with the parasitoid L. decifiens; there were no significant correlations between their presence and altitude. The percentage of parasitism of C. pallidus nymphs by L. decifiens was low in both cotton and alfalfa, ranging between 1.6 and 6.5%.

Creontiades pallidus. [Distribution map].

A new distribution map is provided for Creontiades pallidus (Rambur) Heteroptera: Miridae. Attacks cotton, sorghum, Cajanus cajan. Information is given on the geographical distribution in EUROPE, Cyprus, Greece, Mallorca, Sicily, Spain, Turkey, AFRICA, Algeria, Cape Verde Islands, Canary Islands, Djibouti, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Libya, Madeira, Malawi, Madagascar, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Rodriguez Island St. Helena, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Tromelin Island, Tunisia, Uganda, Zaire, Zimbabwe, ASIA, Burma, India, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Iran Israel, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Yemen, SOUTH AMERICA, Brazil.

Notes on the biology and immature stages of West African sorghum head bugs Eurystylus immaculatus and Creontiades pallidus (Heteroptera: Miridae)

Detailed studies on the immature stages of the sorghum head bugs, Eurystylus immaculatus Odhiambo and Creontiades pallidus Rambur, were carried out in the laboratory at Samanko, Mali, during November 1991 to March 1992, and January to April 1993, and in the field in October 1993. Eggs of both species were laid in maturing sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) grains. The egg incubation period was 4–7 days in E. immaculatus, and 5–7 days in C. pallidus. There were five nymphal instars in both species. The total nymphal period was 6–11 days in E. immaculatus and 8–14 days in C. pallidus. The durations of first, second, third, fourth and fifth nymphal instars were 1–3, 1–2, 1–2, 1–3 and 1–3 days, respectively, in E. immaculatus, and 1–3, 1–2, 1–3, 2–3 and 2–4 days, respectively, in C. pallidus. All the immature stages of E. immaculatus are described and sketched.