Ana Maria Almașanu, Monica Herea, Nela Talmaciu, Ionela Mocanu, Mihai Talmaciu
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Eurygaster integriceps, evolutionary cycle, fat reserves.
Eurygaster integriceps, commonly known as the sunn pest, begins its biological activity in the second decade of April, when adults emerge from hibernation at temperatures of 12–16°C, with mass flights occurring on sunny days at temperatures above 18°C. Males appear a few days before females, and the migration to wheat fields is completed by May. After feeding, mating takes place, and females lay between 70 and 100 eggs, grouped in batches of 14, on leaves, stems, and preferably on emerging spikes. Egg hatching occurs within 7–15 days, from early May to mid-June. The larvae go through four instars and three molts, followed by the nymph stage. The full development cycle lasts 30–40 days, with new adults emerging between the second half of June and July. These adults feed intensively for about 10 days to accumulate fat reserves necessary for hibernation, after which they migrate to deciduous forests. Comparative studies between Gorban and Țuțora (2020–2024) reveal differences in the development rate, influenced by microclimatic conditions: maturation occurs faster in Gorban, while delays in hatching, larval development, and adult emergence are observed in Țuțora.
Cite this paper: Almașanu, A.M., Herea, M., Talmaciu, N., Mocanu, I., Talmaciu, M. (2025). OBSERVATIONS ON THE EVOLUTIONARY CYCLE OF THE EURYGASTER INTEGRICEPS SPECIES IN THE NORTHEASTERN REGION OF ROMANIA. Current Trends in Natural Sciences, 14(27), 78-85. https://doi.org/10.47068/ctns.2025.v14i27.009
