Biology and Age-Specific Life Table of Oxycarenus hyalinipennis (Hemiptera: Oxycarenidae) on Cotton Under Field Conditions

Abstract

Oxycarenus hyalinipennis is an emerging hemipteran pest associated with cotton bolls and seeds, causing qualitative and quantitative losses under field conditions. The present investigation was carried out to study the biology and construct an age-specific life table of O. hyalinipennis on Cotton under natural field environments. Observations on developmental biology were recorded by monitoring different life stages from egg to adult on infested cotton plants. Key biological parameters such as incubation period, nymphal instars, adult longevity, fecundity, and survivorship were documented under fluctuating field temperatures and humidity. The insect completed its development through five nymphal instars, with variation observed in developmental duration due to environmental conditions. Adult females exhibited higher longevity and reproductive potential compared to males, contributing significantly to population buildup during the cropping season. An age-specific life table was constructed to analyze survival rates, mortality factors, and reproductive parameters of the pest population. The life table analysis revealed distinct survivorship curves and identified critical mortality stages influencing population dynamics. High net reproductive rate and intrinsic rate of increase indicated the pest’s strong capacity for population growth under favorable field conditions. The findings suggest that O. hyalinipennis can rapidly establish and proliferate in cotton ecosystems, particularly during boll development stages. Understanding its biology and population dynamics provides essential baseline information for designing effective integrated pest management strategies. The study emphasizes the importance of timely monitoring and targeted control measures to reduce yield losses and manage pest outbreaks in cotton-growing regions. These results contribute to improved ecological understanding of seed-feeding hemipteran pests in agroecosystems.