ON THE DIGESTIVE TRACT OF ODONTOPUS NIGRICORNIS STAL (HETEROPTERA : PYRRHOCORIDAE) AND SURVIVAL TIME DURING STARVATION

Odontopus nigricornis Stal (Heteroptera : Pyrrhocoridae) is a polyphagous bug due to its occurrence on a number of host plants (Bombax ceiba, Hibiscus rosa-simensis, Pterygota alata and Solanum melongena). Male and females are sexually dimorphic (male 1.9 and female 2.2 cm in length). The digestive tract of Odontopus is a convoluted tube divisible into fore-, mid and hindgut. The foregut comprises of pharynx, Oesophagus and characteristic salivary glands. The midgut is divisible into four regions and hindgut into a short ileum and rectum. Gastric caecae are absent. Total length of the alimentary canal is 6.2 cm in male and 6.9 cm in female. Starvation can be counteracted by these bugs upto 15 days if water is provided.