Hatchability and Temperature-dependent development of Overwintered Eggs of Ricania sp. (Hemiptera: Ricaniidae)

Ricania sp. lay eggs into the new twigs of blueberry and suck nutrients causing growth retardation and a sooty mold symptom. This study was conducted to investigate the emergence success and developmental period of overwintered eggs of Ricania sp. under the seven constant temperatures from 10 to by intervals (14L:10D). We also monitored the emergence time of the Ricania sp. nymph at blueberry by 3 ~ 4 day interval using a modified leaf clip cage. Development times from the overwintered egg to nymph were 107.1, 54.5, 33.9, 25.3, 25.1 and 16.7 days and the emergence successes were 23.1, 30.8, 13.8, 21.7, 11.9, and 0.6% at 14, 18, 22, 26, 30 and , respectively except at . The developmental periods were decreased with increasing temperatures. First emergence date of the nymphs in the field was between 19 and 22 May, and the average emergence success was 19.6%. The present study might be helpful to establish the management strategy of Ricania sp. based on the biological characteristic.