Effects of Population Density and Host Plant on Fecundity, Clutch Size, and Longevity of Eurygaster maura (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae)

This study was carried out to determine the effects of population density and host plants on the fecundity, clutch size and longevity of Eurygaster maura (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae) under laboratory conditions in 2019. Overwintering adult males and females of E. maura were collected during the diapause period in the last week of March 2019 in Konya, Türkiye. The healthy adult individuals were reared on fresh Esperia wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) variety, Finola barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) variety, and Diriliş oat (Avena sativa L.) variety in plastic containers (35x35x50 cm) covered with tulle in a climate room (26±1 °C, % 65±5% relative humidity, 16:8 photoperiod). Populations were prepared in rearing containers as follows: 1 male x 1 female, 25 males x 25 females, 50 males x 50 females, and 100 males x 100 females, and the experiment was set up with five replicates. In wheat, barley, and oats, the average number of eggs laid by a female individual in a 1x1 population was 206.80±7.50, 162.60±10.41, and 130.60±9.66, respectively, and the difference between them was statistically significant (P