Notes on the Life History and Morphology of Calidea dregii (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae: Scutellerini) in Ghana, West Africa

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Abstract
In Ghana, oviposition by Calidea dregii Germar occurs throughout the year, usually on the flower parts and uncommonly on the stems of its host plant, Jatropha podagrica Hooker (Euphorbiaceae). In the laboratory, females laid batches of 23–48 eggs (average 30) at intervals averaging 5.3 days, and total production was 150–200 eggs per female. The eggs developed in 5–6 days, and about 60 days were required for the 5 nymphal stadia. Newly hatched nymphs sucked materials left in the egg-shells from which they hatched, but began to feed on the host plant 1–2 days before their first molt. Nymphs are gregarious in the early stages, but become solitary as they grow older. In captivity, sugar solution was readily accepted, and body fluids of dead C. dregii were sometimes sucked by both nymphs and adults, but neither raw beef Or pork nor fruits such as apple, peach, pawpaw, or orange were acceptable. C. dregii is strictly diurnal, and is most active during the hottest hours of the day. Males perform a “courting dance” prior to copulation; females may mate immediately after emergence as adults, and the first batch of eggs is usually laid about 10 days after the first mating. Adult longevity is about 1.5 months for males, 2 months for females. Egg cannibalism is practiced by nymphs and adults, and probably exerts a considerable influence on population size. Vestiges of the nymphal scent glands retained by the adult are described and discussed.

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