Abstract
Trissolcus grandis is an important egg parasitoid of sunn pest, Eurygaster integriceps Puton (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae), the most serious pest of wheat in Iran. The thermal requirements of two populations of T. grandis were studied at five constant temperatures ranging from 20-32°C. Thermal thresholds for development were calculated using linear regression and degree-day models were determined by fitting non-linear equations to the data. The lower threshold for development was estimated to be 12.5 and 12.1°C, respectively, for males and females of the Bonab population, compared to 14.4 and 14.5°C for those of the Qaramalek population. Complete development required 143.8 and 162.8 degree-days, respectively, for males and females of the Bonab population and 116.9 and 124.6 for those of the Qaramalek population. Thus, wasps from the warmer region (Qaramalek) developed faster than those from the cooler region (Bonab), but had a higher thermal threshold for initiating development. Bonab females attained their highest fecundity (117.7 ± 7.2) at the lowest temperature tested (20°C), whereas the fecundity of Qaramalek females was maximal (96.8 ± 11.5) at 26°C. Biological control programmes that seek to augment wasp populations in wheat fields early in the spring, when natural rates of sunn pest parasitism tend to be low, should consider wasp thermal requirements to ensure the selection and release of locally-adapted parasitoids.
Highlights
Cereal bugs belonging to Eurygaster, Aelia, Odontotarsus, Dolycoris and several other genera are well known pests of wheat and barley in Middle Eastern countries (Safavi, 1973; Salavatiyan, 1991; Radjabi, 2000)
The sunn pest problem is more serious in hot central parts of Iran than in colder regions like Azerbaijan or in adjacent countries like Turkey (Alexandrov, 1947; Davatchi; 1954; Safavi, 1973; Salavatian, 1991; Radjabii, 2000, 2007)
One population of T. grandis used in this study was obtained from Qaramalek, to the west of Tabriz, and the other from New Bonab county, 11 km east of Marand
Summary
Cereal bugs belonging to Eurygaster, Aelia, Odontotarsus, Dolycoris and several other genera are well known pests of wheat and barley in Middle Eastern countries (Safavi, 1973; Salavatiyan, 1991; Radjabi, 2000). The common sunn pest, Eurygaster integriceps Puton, is perhaps the most injurious and is of high economic importance in Iran. The sunn pest problem is more serious in hot central parts of Iran than in colder regions like Azerbaijan or in adjacent countries like Turkey (Alexandrov, 1947; Davatchi; 1954; Safavi, 1973; Salavatian, 1991; Radjabii, 2000, 2007). Primarily Trissolcus grandis Thomson, parasitize sunn pest eggs in Iran (Martin et al, 1969; Radjabi & Amir Nazari, 1989; Iranipour, 1996; Amir Maafi, 2000). A great deal of variation exists in both pest injury and parasitoid efficiency across the geographic range of these species that likely reflects variation in their biological performance under local conditions, especially their responses to temperature
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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
