Food consumption, food utilization, and metabolic rates ofGeocoris punctipes [Het.: Lygaeidae] fedHeliothis virescens [Lep.: Noctuidae] eggs

Food consumption and utilization were measured inGeocoris punctipes (Say) from 1st instar nymphs to adults that were fed eggs ofHeliothis virescens (Fabricius). Growth in both sexes was similar until the final portion of the last nymphal period, when female growth rose sharply over that of males. Food absorption efficiency was 95.2%; growth efficiency (ratio of weight ingested) was 52.9%, and metabolic efficiency was 55.6%. RQ was 0.93, and oxygen consumption rates were 0.84, 1.37, and 1.80 μl O2 mg body weight h−1 at 24°C, 30°C and 35°C, respectively. Q10 for O2 consumption was 2.14 (25–35°C).