Developmental stages of Spissistilus festinus (Homoptera: Membracidae) most susceptible to Hemipteran predators

The developmental stages of Spissistilus festinus most susceptible to predation by young female adults of Geocoris punctipes and Nabis roseipennis and to Orius insidiosus of undetermined age and sex was determined in the laboratory. With G. punctipes, the highest S. festinus mortality (90-100%) occurred in the early (1st, 2nd) nymphal stages while Nabis roseipennis attacked all nymphal stages equally well. In general, O. insidiosus did not feed on S. festinus. This study suggests that S. festinus nymphs are potential prey for G. punctipes and N. roseipennis in the field.