Abstract
Abstract The bromeliad-eating weevil Metamasius quadrilineatus Champion is the native host of the tachinid Lixadmontia franki Wood and Cave, which is being studied as a candidate biological control agent of the Mexican bromeliad weevil, Metamasius callizona (Chevrolat), a pest of native bromeliads in Florida. Information on the reproductive biology of M. quadrilineatus was gathered in order to produce sufficient quantities of the weevil and L. franki for biological and non-target testing studies. Longevity, fecundity, and egg viability of M. quadrilineatus females on Catopsis hahnii (Baker) were studied under laboratory conditions at 21°C temperature, 70% relative humidity, and a 12 ∶ 12 hr light:dark photoperiod. Females lived an average of 17.0 ± 1.3 weeks (range = 3–29 weeks). Survivorship decreased significantly starting in week 11 and reached 48% in week 19. Females initiated oviposition 3.3 ± 0.2 weeks (mean ± standard error) after emergence. In total, 593 eggs were produced by 30 caged females in...
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
