The same experimental design as the nymph bioassay was used for the adults, but the methodology was adapted for this insect stage.
Newly emerged N. viridula adults from the nymph bioassay were weighed on an AY220 analytical balance (Shimadzu Corporation, Columbia, MD, USA) with an accuracy of 0.0001 g. Fifteen pairs of N. viridula were selected per treatment, individualized in plastic pots for mating and egg laying until the death of the females. These N. viridula pairs were fed with 10 dry capsules of the same sesame cultivar and maintained under the same climatic conditions in which their immature stages developed. The number of eggs laid was quantified, daily, at 2:00 P.M. using an EL224 stereomicroscope (BEL Engineering, Monza, Milano, Italy) with 20 × magnification when the reproductive characteristics, sex ratio, incubation period, longevity, fertility, number of egg masses, eggs per laying and viable eggs were determined.
Newly emerged N. viridula adults from the nymph bioassay were weighed on an AY220 analytical balance (Shimadzu Corporation, Columbia, MD, USA) with an accuracy of 0.0001 g. Fifteen pairs of N. viridula were selected per treatment, individualized in plastic pots for mating and egg laying until the death of the females. These N. viridula pairs were fed with 10 dry capsules of the same sesame cultivar and maintained under the same climatic conditions in which their immature stages developed. The number of eggs laid was quantified, daily, at 2:00 P.M. using an EL224 stereomicroscope (BEL Engineering, Monza, Milano, Italy) with 20 × magnification when the reproductive characteristics, sex ratio, incubation period, longevity, fertility, number of egg masses, eggs per laying and viable eggs were determined.