BIOLOGY AND FECUNDITY OF THE MELON BUG ASPONGOPUS VIDUATUS (FABRICIUS), IN THE LABORATORY

The study was conducted at Elfula, South Kordofan State, Sudan to investigate the life cycle and fecundity of Aspongopus viduatus (Fabricius). Female reproductive system of the insect at aestivation period and later at the active period was examined. The results show that the females had no oocytes during aestivation, however following the termination of aestivation period oocytes developed. The total number of eggs laid by a single female averaged of 448±0.90 eggs. Most of the eggs were laid during the first two weeks following the end of the aestivation period. The main oviposition period was 64±17.7 days, pre- oviposition period and post oviposition periods were 5.17±1.7 and 10.7±1.7, respectively. The incubation period was 8.5±0.75 days and hatchability% was 94.4±3.01%, respectively. The mean developmental periods of the nymphal instars were 7.9±0.75, 10.9±1.3, 7.14±1.6, 9.8±1.1 and 13.3±1.9 for the 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th and 5 th nymphal instars, respectively.