Indian Journal of Entomology

Eusarcocoris capitatus (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) is a pest of holy Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum L.) an important medicinal plant. Damage is caused by desapping the seeds, inflorescence and leaves. It's breeding period lasts from March to November. Copulation takes place at any time in the day preferably in the morning and evening and a pre-copulation period of 03 to 15 days with and average of 7.28 ±3.86 days observed. When the female gets excited and gives positive consent, then the male tries to insert its erected aedeagus into the female genital chamber. After several repeated attempts, male gets successful. During this process, male holds the female by his fore legs and touches his antennae with the female several times. This process occurs in mounted position and after the completion of process, male turns in opposite direction. Copulation angle was observed 180° but they may come occasionally at acute angle. Copulation usually lasts for 2 to 35 hrs. with an average of 17.07±9.05 hrs. During freeing process, male shakes his abdomen several times and tries to remove or pull his aedeagus from female genital chamber. This process lasts for 02 to 05 minutes with an average of 3.2 minutes. The female after separation rests and then resumes feeding. Re-engagement of copulation takes place after 5 to 291.05 hrs with an average of 54.92±60.80 hrs.