Multigenerational Effects of Short-Term High Temperature on the Development and Reproduction of the Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett, 1899)

Abstract

Zeugodacus cucurbitae is an important pest of fruit and vegetable crops in tropical and subtropical regions, and high-temperature stress can have different effects on the development and reproduction of successive generations of Z. cucurbitae. To clarify the multigenerational effects of short-time high temperature on the development and reproduction of Z. cucurbitae, the newly emerged adults of the contemporary (F1 generation) and the next generation (F2 generation) were exposed to short-term high temperatures of 25 °C, 33 °C, 37 °C, 41 °C, and 45 °C for 1 h, and the multigenerational (F1, F2, and F3 generation) effects of these temperatures on the development and reproduction of Z. cucurbitae were evaluated. The results showed that (1) when the F1 was exposed to short-term high temperature, the egg production and lifespan of the F1 decreased continuously with the increasing temperature, except for the 45 °C treatment for 1 h, which stimulated egg production. Only the 41 °C group had significantly higher egg production and lifespan than the control group in the F3. (2) In the F1 and F2 that were exposed to short-term high temperature, the F1 and F3 were consistent with the results of F1 that were exposed to short-term high temperature. In conclusion, the effects of high-temperature intensity and frequency on multiple generations of Z. cucurbitae were different. The results of this study can elucidate the effects of short-term high-temperature stress on the growth, development, and reproduction of Z. cucurbitae in different generations, and provide a reference basis for the integrated control of Z. cucurbitae.