Ovigeny in selected generalist predators

We examined ovigeny in 4 common generalist predators: Podisus maculiventris (Say) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), Orius insidiosus (Say) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), Geocoris punctipes (Say) (Heteroptera: Geocoridae), and Delphastus catalinae (Horn) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) through dissections and counts of the numbers of eggs laid. The predators studied were found to exhibit various degrees of synovigeny. The numbers of immature eggs increased with the age of the predator P. maculiventris, whereas the numbers of mature eggs declined. There was evidence of continued egg production in the other 3 predators that we studied because the numbers of eggs laid exceeded egg loads determined by dissections. We discussed possible implications in the evaluation of predators as biological control agents.