Effect of Temperature on Development, Survivorship, and Fecundity ofLysiphlebia mirzai(Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae), a Parasitoid ofToxoptera citricida(Homoptera: Aphididae)

Abstract

Development, survivorship, longevity, and reproduction of Lysiphlebia mirzai Shuja-Uddin, a parasitoid of Toxoptera citricida (Kirkaldy), was studied at constant temperatures in the laboratory. Larval development ranged from 8.3 d at 32°C to 20.3 d at 10°C, and pupal development ranged from 3.7 d at 30°C to 15.4 d at 10°C. No adults emerged from mummies at 32°C. Duration of larval development was longer than pupal development. The respective low developmental temperatures and degree-days (DD) were estimated at 3.7°C and 142.7 DD for larval stage, 4.8°C and 94.2 DD for pupal stage, and 6.2°C and 181.2 DD for combined immature stage. The respective optimal temperatures of 30.3, 33.3, and 31.1°C for larval, pupal, and combined immature development were determined from a nonlinear biophysical model. The pupal survivorship was relatively constant within 10–20°C (90–84.5%). The average number of eggs laid per female in the initial 24-h period varied from 106.3 at 25°C to 41.8 at 32°C. The average longevity of L. mirzai adults decreased linearly with increasing temperature. At high (37 and 40°C) and low (5°C) temperature, the average pupal survivorship decreased as treatment time increased. Adult parasitoids failed to emerge from the mummies at 40°C after a 4-h treatment. In addition, the mean longevity of adult parasitoids was enhanced when they were fed with honey and water. The optimal constant temperature range for L. mirzai population growth was 15–25°C. This parasitoid may be more effective in control of brown citrus aphid in cooler months than in summer months.