Cold hardiness of Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae) from central and southern Europe

Abstract

The cold hardiness of individuals from overwintering populations of a freeze susceptible bug Pyrrhocoris apterus from central and southern Europe differed significantly. Supercooling point (SCP) correlated well with both lethal temperature (LT50) and lethal time (Lt50), and is agood index of cold hardiness of adults during and after diapause. In January, diapause terminated, but cold hardiness was similar to that recorded in November; cold hardiness decreased slightly in March and markedly in May. Short exposure (less than a week) to higher temperatures before termination of diapause did not reduce the cold hardiness. Cold hardiness did not closely follow air temperatures.The Bulgarian bugs retained lower cold hardiness regardless of acclimation to harsh field conditions in the Czech Republic. The interpopulation difference is therefore a heritable character representing an adjustment to local climates.

Keywords

• heteroptera
• pyrrhocoris apterus
• survival
• mortality
• supercooling
• low temperature
• diapause
• overwintering
• oviposition
• bulgaria
• bohemia