Abstract
Abstract The exotic egg parasitoid Edovum puttleri Grissell has shown promise for biological control of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say). However, because the activity of currently available populations is decreased at low temperatures, the use of biotypes of E. puttleri adapted to low temperatures may provide more effective control. To determine if there are populations of E. puttleri adapted to low temperatures, the life history characteristics of three populations collected in Honduras were compared at three temperatures (15, 24, and 30°C) over three generations. In general, life history characteristics differed between the first generation and subsequent generations. Among temperatures, parasitoids reared at 24°C were more reproductively active, lived longer, and survived better than those reared at other temperatures. At the lowest temperature, there was a significant difference in the frequency of total egg production, with females from the “River” collection site producing more eggs than females from the other two sites. Coincidentally, the River area is located at the highest elevation and experiences a cooler climate. Comparison of E. puttleri collected in Honduras, Colombia, and Mexico showed differences in life history characteristics. The implications for this study for selection of biotypes of E. puttleri are discussed.
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