Post-oviposition Periods Research Articles

Influence of temperature on the biology of <i>Aenasius arizonensis</i> (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), a parasitoid of solenopsis mealybug, <i>Phenacoccus solenopsis</i> Tinsley

Effect of temperature on the biology of <em>Aenasius arizonensis</em> (Girault) (=<em>Aenasius bambawalei</em> Hayat) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), a parasitoid of solenopsis mealybug, <em>Phenacoccus solenopsis</em> Tinsley, was studied at four constant temperatures <em>viz</em>. 20±1, 25±1, 30±1 and 35±1<sup>0</sup>C. Mealybugs were reared on sprouted potatoes. The parasitoid completed its development at all the temperatures studied and males developed faster than the females. For males and females, respectively, total development period was 30.56, 24.16, 13.40 and 11.60 days and 34.40, 26.20, 14.88, and 12.04 days at 20±1, 25±1, 30±1 and 35±1<sup>0</sup>C, respectively. The daily and total fecundity (number of hosts parasitised) was 1.42, 1.82, 3.17, 2.16 and 57.13, 63.15, 65.60, 37.46 at 20±1, 25±1, 30±1 and 35±1<sup>0</sup>C, respectively. Female parasitoids parasitised mealy bugs on the day of emergence at all the temperatures. At respective temperatures oviposition and post-oviposition periods were 35.86, 33.60, 18.93, 15.53 days and 2.86, 2.26, 2.60 and 2.33 days, respectively. Parasitoid males were short lived as compared to females at all the temperatures. The male and female longevity, respectively, was 23.06, 17.26, 13.20, 10.33 days and 38.66, 34.53, 20.86, 17.86 days at 20±1, 25±1, 30±1 and 35±1<sup>0</sup>C, respectively. Sex-ratio (male: female) was in favour of female parasitoids (1: 1.1 to 1: 1.2) at all the temperatures. Net reproductive rate (36.41), intrinsic rate of increase (0.155) and finite rate of increase (1.168) were maximum at 30±1<sup>0</sup>C indicating this temperature to be the most favourable for the development and reproduction of the parasitoid. Males emerged out from the small sized mummies (2.28×1.20mm) whereas; large sized mummies (2.90×1.59mm) yielded mostly the female parasitoids. Males were generally smaller in size (1.26×0.58mm) as compared to female parasitoids (1.84×0.89mm). The results of the present studies could be useful in establishing a mass rearing programme for the parasitoid.

Biology of predatory mite, Amblyseius longispinosus (Evens) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on broad mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks)

Biological parameters of A.longispinosus was recorded by feeding on broad mite, P. latusat Acarology Laboratory, Department of Entomology, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat during April to June of the year 2014 and 2015. The results indicated that the mean of immature period for egg, larvae, protonymph and deutonymph were 2.33±0.49, 3.73±0.70, 4.53±0.52 and 4.67±0.72 days, respectively when feed on P. latus . The total developmental period completes in 15.26±0.68 days, while the pre-oviposition, oviposition and post-oviposition period took 5.53±0.51, 15.73±0.45 and 4.13±0.51 days. The period of adult longevity for male and female were 9.00±0.95 and 25.39±0.45 days, respectively. A single female laid on an average 30.00±2.77 eggs in her life span when reared on T. urticae under the laboratory conditions.

A new substitute host and its effects on some biological properties of Ooencyrtus kuvanae.

Lymantia dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), commonly known as the gypsy moth, is a serious forest pest, and beneficial insects are particularly important for reducing its population numbers. Ooencyrtus kuvanae (Howard) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is an arrhenotokous, solitary egg parasitoid of L. dispar. In this study, we evaluated a new substitute host, Philosamia ricini (Danovan) (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) for O. kuvanae. We investigated some of the biological effects of O. kuvanae on P. ricini eggs. In this context, the importance of the age of the female parasitoid (1, 3 or 5 days old), host age (1-2 and 3-4 days old) and host number (40, 60 and 80 host eggs) were examined under laboratory conditions (25 ± 1 °C, 65 ± 5% relative humidity and a 16 : 8 h photoperiod [light : dark]). The highest rate of offspring production (89.90%) occurred with 40 (1-2-day-old) host eggs and 5-day-old females. The mean developmental period ranged from 16.5 ± 0.08 days to 18.7 ± 0.08 days. The mean lifespan of the parasitoid was 51.10 ± 1.1 (n = 60) days with bio-honey and 3.92 ± 0.14 (n = 60) days without food. The mean fecundity was 68.88 ± 3.22 offspring/female. Peak adult emergence occurred between 2 and 9 days. The mean oviposition and mean post-oviposition periods of the female parasitoid were 22.76 ± 1.37 days and 13.64 ± 1.40 days, respectively. O. kuvanae was reared for more than ten generations on the eggs of P. ricini. Based on our findings, P. ricini can be used to rear O. kuvanae for the biological control of L. dispar.

Biology of Castor Leafhopper Empoasca Flavescens Fabricius

The biology of castor leafhopper, Empoasca flavescens Fabricius was studied in the laboratory of the Department of Entomology, C. P. C. A., S. D. A. U., Sardarkrushinagar during 2012–13. The results revealed that the female inserted eggs into leaf tissue mainly near the midrib and veins at lower surface of leaves. It was very difficult to detect them with naked eyes, but could be marked by a small blister on the leaf surface. The eggs were broad and round at one end and gradually tapered towards the other end. The nymphal stage passed through five instars. The mean nymphal development period of first, second, third, fourth and fifth instars were of 2.17 ± 0.76, 2.50 ± 0.87, 3.33 ± 0.76, 3.70 ± 1.01 and 3.20 ± 0.90 days, respectively. The total nymphal duration was 12.73 ± 2.42 days. The adults were yellowish green, wedge shaped and walked diagonally in characteristic manner. The sex ratio of (male: female) was 1: 1.18 for laboratory culture and 1: 1.35 for field collected population. The mean pre-oviposition, oviposition and post-oviposition periods were 3.12 ± 0.85, 4.16 ± 0.87 and 3.24 ± 0.81 days, respectively. The fecundity was 17.11 ± 1.25 eggs. The average longevity of male and female was 8.83 ± 0.97 and 10.85 ± 1.23 days, respectively. The total duration of life cycle varied from 21 to 34 days with a mean of 28.83 ± 4.54 days in male, and 24 to 38 days (average 32.17± 5.85 days) in female.

Biology of castor shoot and capsule borer Conogethes punctiferalis guenee (Lepidoptera: crambidae)

A study on the biology of castor shoot and capsule borer, Conogethes punctiferalis (Guenee) was carried out under laboratory conditions. The eggs were translucent, pale white, became dark pink before hatching, and flattish oval with rough surface. Incubation period was 4.16± 0.84 days, and hatching percentage was 93.81± 2.61%. Total larval development period was 12.92± 0.73 days, while pre-pupal and pupal periods were 1.92± 0.74 and 8.48± 0.92 days, respectively. The pre-oviposition, oviposition and post-oviposition periods were 1.39± 0.50, 4.35± 0.57 and 2.26± 0.62 days, respectively. The fecundity was 70.76± 17.43 eggs, with the longevity of male and female being 7.04± 0.93 and 8.00± 0.80 days, respectively. Total lifecycle took 25.09± 1.68 days (female) and 24.09 ± 1.47 days (male).

Bionomics of Spodoptera Litura (Fabricius) on capsicum under open and polyhouse conditions

The life cycle of Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) was studied under open and protected (polyhouse) environment on capsicum. It was observed completing nine generations under open environment, while it was eleven under polyhouse conditions. The incubation, larval period, prepupal and pupal periods, male and female longevity, preoviposition, oviposition period and post-oviposition periods, fecundity and sex ratio (male: female) details were documented and the variations brought out. The growth indices, i.e., mean values of larval growth index (LGI) and total growth index (TGI) were 3.47 and 1.70, respectively, and thus maximum in polyhouse.

Effect of trans-anethole, limonene and your combination in nutritional components and their reflection on reproductive parameters and testicular apoptosis in Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Spodoptera frugiperda is a major pest in several crops due to its polyphagous habit. Studies on the use of essential oils for pest control have been increasing over the years, presenting itself as a promising alternative with less environmental impact. Chemical profile evaluations of essential oils enable the knowledge and use of major compounds, providing a better understanding of their actions in the life history of insects. Thus, the study evaluated the effects of the major compounds limonene, trans-anethole and the combined effects upon nutrition, reproduction and testicular apoptosis in S. frugiperda. Larvae of third instar were submitted to the LD50 of the compounds by topical contact and 48 h later the amounts of lipids, proteins, total sugar and glycogen were evaluated. The testicular apoptosis was evaluated in the treated larvae after 48 h and the reproductive parameters were evaluated after adult emergence. All treatments reduced the amounts of lipid, protein, total sugar and glycogen when compared to control. The most significant results were obtained by the association of compounds. All treatments reduced the number of eggs, oviposition period and adult longevity when compared to control. There were no changes in the pre-oviposition and post-oviposition periods. Testicular apoptosis was observed in the limonene and in the combined treatments. It is concluded that limonene and trans-anethole, especially in association, cause adverse effects upon nutrition and reproduction in S. frugiperda, altering essential parameters for its survival and establishment on crops.

Copulation duration, sperm transfer and reproduction of the two closely related phytoseiid mites, Neoseiulus womersleyi and Neoseiulus longispinosus (Acari: Phytoseiidae).

The effects of copulation duration on reproduction were studied in two important biological control agents, Neoseiulus womersleyi (Schicha) and Neoseiulus longispinosus (Evans), to better understand their reproductive potential. The number of eggs produced was significantly and positively related to the copulation duration in both species. Egg production was observed even in females which experienced only 15min of copulation and increased as copulation period increasedin both species. Both pre- and post-oviposition periods of N. womersleyi and N. longispinosus decreased with the increase of copulation durations, and they were significantly different between the two species. Copulation duration had no effect on the female adult longevity of N. womersleyi and N. longispinosus, but N. womersleyi showed higher adult longevity than N. longispinosus. Fecundity remarkably increased in both species when the copulation period exceeded 90min. The size of the spermatophore inside the spermathecae increased in proportion to the copulation duration in both species. Fecundity was consistent with the sizes of the spermathecae and spermatophores. When copulation was extended, males first filled one spermatheca and then filled the other. The results obtained in this study suggest that copulation duration had similar effects on egg production in N. womersleyi and N. longispinosus. Egg production depended on the quantity of sperm transferred during copulation. The two species have similar reproductive potentials and mating properties under laboratory conditions.

BIOLOGY AND INTRINSIC GROWTH RATE OF EARWIG (Euborellia annulata)

Earwig (Euborellia annulata) is a potential predator of corn borer (Ostrinia furnacalis), one of the most important pests of corn. To include the use of predator in integrated pest management (IPM) to control the pest, it is necessary to understand the basic information of the predator. This study aimed to know biology and intrinsic growth rate of the predator feed on an artificial media (dog food). Ten pairs of newly emerging adults of the predator were placed in a small plastic container containing a mixture of soil and sand (1:1 v/v) supplemented with an artificial food. The average temperature and relative humidity during the study were kept at 27.9-30.3oC and 76.7-92.3%, respectively. The biological aspects of the predator evaluated were number of eggs laid, hatched, and died, as well as its oviposition period and adult mortality. The intrinsic growth rate was studied from a group of 200 newly laid eggs and results were analyzed based on the method of Birch. The biological aspects study showed that number of eggs laid by a single female of E. annulata was 86-166, which were laid five times in a group of 9-45 eggs. The nymph consists of five instars. Length of nymphs varied ranging from 4 to 13 mm depends on their instar. The fifth instar nymph period was 4-6 days for female and 2-3 days for male. The period of first mating was shorter; the shortest was 2 minutes and the longest one was 70 minutes. Both male and female were able to do mating several times at an interval of several seconds or minutes. Pre-oviposition period was 6-13 days. The eggs were deposited five times, the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth oviposition period were 7-22 days, 7-21 days, 7-18 days, 11-18 days, and 11-21 days, respectively. The oviposition period was 32-59 days and postoviposition period was 21-51 days. Ratio between male and female was 1.4:1.0. The average natural mortality of E. annulata was 10.5% which means that 89.5% of deposited eggs hatched became nymphs. The study also revealed that the intrinsic growth rate (r) of the predator was 0.0772, net reproductive rate (R0) 80.16, limited growth rate (λ) 1.17, nymph stage period 39-46 days, and adult longevity of male and female were 57-75 and 61-89 days, respectively. The study implies that E. annulata is potential to be incorporated in IPM for controlling corn borer.

BIOLOGY AND INTRINSIC GROWTH RATE OF EARWIG (Euborellia annulata)

Earwig (Euborellia annulata) is a potential predator of corn borer (Ostrinia furnacalis), one of the most important pests of corn. To include the use of predator in integrated pest management (IPM) to control the pest, it is necessary to understand the basic information of the predator. This study aimed to know biology and intrinsic growth rate of the predator feed on an artificial media (dog food). Ten pairs of newly emerging adults of the predator were placed in a small plastic container containing a mixture of soil and sand (1:1 v/v) supplemented with an artificial food. The average temperature and relative humidity during the study were kept at 27.9-30.3oC and 76.7-92.3%, respectively. The biological aspects of the predator evaluated were number of eggs laid, hatched, and died, as well as its oviposition period and adult mortality. The intrinsic growth rate was studied from a group of 200 newly laid eggs and results were analyzed based on the method of Birch. The biological aspects study showed that number of eggs laid by a single female of E. annulata was 86-166, which were laid five times in a group of 9-45 eggs. The nymph consists of five instars. Length of nymphs varied ranging from 4 to 13 mm depends on their instar. The fifth instar nymph period was 4-6 days for female and 2-3 days for male. The period of first mating was shorter; the shortest was 2 minutes and the longest one was 70 minutes. Both male and female were able to do mating several times at an interval of several seconds or minutes. Pre-oviposition period was 6-13 days. The eggs were deposited five times, the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth oviposition period were 7-22 days, 7-21 days, 7-18 days, 11-18 days, and 11-21 days, respectively. The oviposition period was 32-59 days and postoviposition period was 21-51 days. Ratio between male and female was 1.4:1.0. The average natural mortality of E. annulata was 10.5% which means that 89.5% of deposited eggs hatched became nymphs. The study also revealed that the intrinsic growth rate (r) of the predator was 0.0772, net reproductive rate (R0) 80.16, limited growth rate (λ) 1.17, nymph stage period 39-46 days, and adult longevity of male and female were 57-75 and 61-89 days, respectively. The study implies that E. annulata is potential to be incorporated in IPM for controlling corn borer.

Growth and developmental responses of Callosobruchusmaculatus (F.) on various pulses

A laboratory experiment was conducted on the developmental biology of pulse beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus F. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) on five different pulses viz., black gram, green gram, chickpea (Desi), cowpea and pea. Significantly highest numbers of eggs, shortest post-oviposition, adult longevity and total life periods was recorded on cowpea. The beetle laid maximum eggs (89.3) on cowpea and minimum on pea (50.7). Maximum eggs were laid on first day of oviposition and lasted for eight days. Hatching of eggs was maximum on green gram (98.1%) and minimum on cowpea (94.3%). The oviposition period, post-oviposition period, incubation period, larval-pupal period, total life period and adult longevity were in the range of 6.6 to 7.9, 1.09 to 2.6, 4.3 to 5.1, 20.1 to 37.2, 31.6 to 39.1 and 11.0 to 13.1 days, respectively on various pulses. No significant differences were found in oviposition period, post-oviposition period, incubation period, total life period and adult longevity on various pulses. The adult emergence was maximum on chickpea (96.7%) and minimum on pea (52.3%).

BIOLOGICAL STUDIES OF LAELAPID PREDACIOUS MITES, ANDROLAELAPS CASALIS, BERLESE AND LAELAPS ASTRONOMICUS KOCH ON TWO FOOD TYPES UNDER THREE TEMPERATURE DEGREES

The present study aims to determine different biological aspects of the commonest soil predaceous mites, Androlaelaps casalis ( Berlese ) and Laelaps astronomicus Koch 1839 (Laelapidae) which were collected from untreated onion soil; at Qaha region, Qaluobia Governorate when reared on free living nematodes, Rhabditella muscicola Andrassy and the acarid mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) at 20, 25 and 30 ˚C and 70 % R.H. The study indicated that there were nonsignificant differences between the incubation period of A. casalis and L. astronomicus when fed on different diets.The female and male life-cycle of the two predacious mites when feed on free nematodes was significantly longer than those fed on T. putrescentiae. The pre-oviposition and post-oviposition periods of A. casalis and L. astronomicus were nonsignificantly affected by the prey typesat the different temperatures. On the other hand, there were obviously differences when the mites fed during their ovipostion time on the same foods at the same temperatures. The study showed that the longevity of the A. casalis and L. astronomicus differed significantly when the adult female and male fed on the different diets at different tempertures.The current study also indicated that the feeding of the predacious mites A. casalis and L. astronomicus on nematode increased the number of deposited eggs by the mite female compared with those fed on the acarid mite.

Biology of rice leaf mite, Oligonychus oryzae (Hirst) (Prostigmata: Tetranychidae)

Biology of Oligonychus oryzae was studied under laboratory condition using rice leaf bits. The immature stages were followed by short quiescent stages namely, nymphochrysalis, deutochrysalis and teliochrysalis. Male (9.87) recorded shorter developmental period from egg to adult compared to female (10.47). Both sexual and parthenogenetic reproduction was recorded in O. oryzae. Progeny of mated female include male and female in the ratio 1: 3, while parthenogenetic female produced only male progeny. Pre-oviposition period of 0.89 and 1.02 days, oviposition period of 6.27 and 7.31 days and post oviposition period of 2.08 and 1.12 days were recorded, respectively for mated and unmated female. Mated and unmated female recorded fecundity of 21.27 and 17.18 eggs, respectively. Adult recorded longevity of 8.00 10.34 and 12.10 days, respectively for male, mated female and unmated female.

Parasitoid, <I>Aenasius arizonensis</I> (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae): its Biology, Morphometrics, Host Stage Preference and use in Biological Control

Aenasius arizonensis (Girault) ( = Aenasius bambawalei Hayat) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), a solitary endoparasitoid of Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley, is a major invasive pest in several cotton growing countries around the globe. It has been recorded as an effective natural enemy of P. solenopsis . The biological characteristics of parasitoid were studied on P. solenopsis under laboratory conditions. The mean duration of development of A. arizonensis from oviposition to mummy formation was 5.9 ± 0.31 days for both male and female, while from mummy formation to adult emergence was 5.9 ± 0.31 and 7.3 ± 0.3 for male and female, respectively. The mean developmental period of male and female was 12.2 ± 0.33 and 14.2 ± 0.37 days, respectively. Males were short lived (16.3 ± 1.41 days) as compared to females (26.2 ± 1.72 days). Female started ovipositing on the day of emergence. The mean pre-oviposion, oviposition and post-oviposition periods were <1, 23.1 ± 1.66 and 3.1 ± 0.55 days, respectively. Mean daily and total fecundity in terms of number of parasitized host per female was 4.24 ± 0.2 and 100.5 ± 11.57, respectively. Sex ratio was skewed towards female and recorded as 1:2. Maximum percentage of parasitization occurred in adult host stage i.e. 90% followed by 3 rd , 2 nd , and 1 st instar nymph with 73.33%, 33.33% and 0 per cent, respectively. Among the three nymphal stages 3rd instar nymph was the most suitable stage for mass multiplication of parasitoid. Its successful utilization in mealybug management can be optimized by multiplying at this stage of host in the laboratory and thereafter inoculative release into the field. This report provides a detailed diagnostic description of A. arizonensis with illustration to facilitate easy identification & morphological differences between male & female along with the morphometric measurements of pupa & mummy.

Parasitoid, &lt;I&gt;Aenasius arizonensis&lt;/I&gt; (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae): its Biology, Morphometrics, Host Stage Preference and use in Biological Control

&lt;em&gt;Aenasius arizonensis&lt;/em&gt; (Girault) ( = &lt;em&gt;Aenasius bambawalei&lt;/em&gt; Hayat) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), a solitary endoparasitoid of &lt;em&gt;Phenacoccus solenopsis&lt;/em&gt; Tinsley, is a major invasive pest in several cotton growing countries around the globe. It has been recorded as an effective natural enemy of &lt;em&gt;P. solenopsis&lt;/em&gt;. The biological characteristics of parasitoid were studied on &lt;em&gt;P. solenopsis&lt;/em&gt; under laboratory conditions. The mean duration of development of &lt;em&gt;A. arizonensis&lt;/em&gt; from oviposition to mummy formation was 5.9 ± 0.31 days for both male and female, while from mummy formation to adult emergence was 5.9 ± 0.31 and 7.3 ± 0.3 for male and female, respectively. The mean developmental period of male and female was 12.2 ± 0.33 and 14.2 ± 0.37 days, respectively. Males were short lived (16.3 ± 1.41 days) as compared to females (26.2 ± 1.72 days). Female started ovipositing on the day of emergence. The mean pre-oviposion, oviposition and post-oviposition periods were &amp;lt;1, 23.1 ± 1.66 and 3.1 ± 0.55 days, respectively. Mean daily and total fecundity in terms of number of parasitized host per female was 4.24 ± 0.2 and 100.5 ± 11.57, respectively. Sex ratio was skewed towards female and recorded as 1:2. Maximum percentage of parasitization occurred in adult host stage i.e. 90% followed by 3&lt;sup&gt;rd&lt;/sup&gt;, 2&lt;sup&gt;nd&lt;/sup&gt;, and 1&lt;sup&gt;st&lt;/sup&gt; instar nymph with 73.33%, 33.33% and 0 per cent, respectively. Among the three nymphal stages 3rd instar nymph was the most suitable stage for mass multiplication of parasitoid. Its successful utilization in mealybug management can be optimized by multiplying at this stage of host in the laboratory and thereafter inoculative release into the field. This report provides a detailed diagnostic description of &lt;em&gt;A. arizonensis&lt;/em&gt; with illustration to facilitate easy identification &amp;amp; morphological differences between male &amp;amp; female along with the morphometric measurements of pupa &amp;amp; mummy.

Effect of photoperiod on development and demographic parameters of Neoseiulus barkeri (Acari: Phytoseiidae) fed on Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Acari: Acaridae).

Effects of five photoperiods (Light:Dark=4:20, 8:16; 12:12, 16:8, 20:4) on the development, survival and reproduction of Neoseiulus barkeri Hughes fed on storage mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) were examined under laboratory conditions at 85% relative humidity and 24°C. Development time of almost all immature stages in N. barkeri was the shortest (5.43±0.12days) under 12h of daylight. Total duration of immature stages was as high as 8.55±0.16days during the longest photoperiod. Photoperiod had no effect on hatching rate, but did affect survival of larvae, protonymphs and deutonymphs. Total survivorship ranged from 20 (4:20) to 60% (12:12). Under 12h daylight, female adults had the shortest pre- and post-oviposition period, longest oviposition period and longevity, largest total number of eggs (15.95) and and highest daily egg production (1.43) per female. Under 12h light, N. barkeri experienced its highest net reproductive rate (R 0 =11.791), intrinsic rate of increase (r m =0.180), and finite rate of increase (λ=1.197), and lowest mean generation time (t=13.71days) and population doubling time (DT=3.86days). All demographic parameters displayed a parabolic relationship with photoperiod. The results of the present study indicated that the photoperiod of 12:12 is optimal for the development and reproduction of N. barkeri fed on T. putrescentiae, and that N. barkeri may serve most efficiently as a biological control agent under this regime.

&lt;strong&gt;Effects of heat stress on copulation, fecunditiy and longevity in newly-emerged adults of the predatory mite &lt;em&gt;Neoseiulus barkeri&lt;/em&gt; (Acari: Phytoseiidae)&lt;/strong&gt;

Climate change predictions depict scenarios where arthropods will be more intensely and frequently exposed to extreme high temperatures. A short period of heat stress is unlikely to cause directly mortality but may modify population dynamics via impacting life history traits. In this study, the newly-emerged female and male adults of the predatory mite, Neoseiulus barkeri Hughes (Acari: Phytoseiidae) were exposed to 42 oC for 4 hours to investigate the heat effects on the copulation, longevity, fecundity and egg hatchability through parental effects of the mite. The results showed that after heat stress, the females had a markedly extended pre-oviposition period, shortened oviposition period, and reduced fecundity and longevity. At the meantime, when females mated with the heat stressed males, the pre-oviposition period was prolonged, the oviposition period was shortened and the fecundity was reduced. A sex-specific effect of short term heat exposure on mating behavior was further observed in males where copulation duration of the stressed individuals were somewhat prolonged. In addition, a trade-off between survival and reproduction was observed in heat stressed females. However, heat stress had no effects on immediate mortality, pre-copulation period, post-oviposition period, male longevity and egg hatchability of the progeny generations. Our results confirmed that heat stress had a detrimental effect on reproduction, particularly by delaying the onset of oviposition and reducing reproductive output and thereby influencing the population dynamics of N. barkeri .

Rearing of Adult Green Lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) on Different Artificial Diets in the laboratory

A laboratory study was conducted on rearing of adult Green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) on different artificial diets. Study was conducted under laboratory conditions at | department of Plant Protection, SAU, Tandojam, Sindh, Pakistan during 2013-14 to determined better artificial diet for mass rearing of adult C. carnea. Six diets containing water:honey:yeast i.e., D1 (20ml:2g:2g), D2 (20ml:4g:2g), D3 (20ml:6g:2g), water:sugar:yeast D4(20ml:2g:2g), D5 (20ml:4g:2g), D6 (20 ml:6g:2g) and two diets containing water:gur:yeast i.e., D7 (20ml:2g:2g), D8(20ml:4g:2g), D9 (20 ml:6g:2g) were tested. The results showed that maximum pre-oviposition period (11.5 ± 3.95 days) recorded, oviposition period (18.0 ± 0.91 days) and post-oviposition period (5.0 ± 0.71 days) was recorded on D4, D9 and D1, respectively. Minimum pre-oviposition period (7.25 ± 0.25 days), oviposition period (5.0 ± 1.73 days) and post-oviposition period (2.5 ± 0.87 days) was recorded on D8, D4, and D7, respectively. The highest fecundity (342.5 ± 89.55 eggs) was recorded on D9, whereas the lowest fecundity (42.5 ± 5.48 eggs) was recorded on D4. The eggs laid by female fed on D4 took lesser time (1.75 ± 0.66 days) to hatch. Maximum larval and pupal longevity was recorded in larvae of adults fed on D9. The adults lived longer for 30.0 ± 0.91 days on D9. The maximum egg hatching (55 %), larval-pupal transformation (45 %) and adults emergence (30 %) was recorded on D9. It is concluded that D9was found the best one for mass rearing of adult C. carnea.

Reproductive traits and number of matings in males and females of Cerambyx welensii (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) an emergent pest of oaks.

The longhorn beetle Cerambyx welensii is an emerging pest involved in oak decline episodes, whose damage is increasingly reported in dehesa open woodlands. Knowledge of the reproductive biology of C. welensii is a crucial goal due to its new pest status. In this study, we assess the reproductive traits of both sexes in the laboratory (25°C and 60% relative humidity ). In females, body length was 44.9 ± 0.9 mm (mean ± SE), fecundity 132 ± 12 eggs, fertility 70 ± 1 %, longevity 70 ± 3 days, preoviposition period 2 ± 0.2 days, oviposition period 44 ± 3 days and postoviposition period 19 ± 3 days. Fecundity was positively correlated with female size, longevity and oviposition period. Daily fecundity was 3.0 ± 0.2 eggs/day and showed a fluctuating synovigenic pattern with a slight decreasing trend over time. Egg length was 4.24 ± 0.01 mm and egg volume 8.14 ± 0.04 mm3. Egg size was correlated with female size but the relative size of eggs was larger in smaller females. Incubation time was 13.9 ± 0.1 days and hatching did not depend on egg size. Neonate size was positively correlated with egg length. Females were polyandrous (more than 20 lifetime matings) but multiple mating did not increase fecundity, fertility or longevity. In males, body length was 43.7 ± 0.6 mm and longevity 52 ± 3 days. Unlike with females, longevity was positively correlated with male size. Males were polygynous (up to 30 lifetime matings) but mating history did not affect male longevity. Rather to the contrary, long-lived males mated more times because they had more mating chances. Lastly, C. welensii reproductive traits were compared with those other Cerambycidae species and discussed from an adaptive perspective. Our data will be useful to improve management of C. welensii in order to prevent or mitigate its impact in dehesa woodlands and other oak forests.

Life history and population growth parameters of the astigmatid mite Histiostoma feroniarum (Acari: Histiostomatidae) feeding on Fusarium graminearum

In this study, the life history and demographic parameters of Histiostoma feroniarum (Defour) on Fusarium graminearum Clade were studied under laboratory condition. The incubation, larval and nymphal periods and longevity of adults were observed to be 1.6, 2.56, 3.09 and 10.48 days, respectively. The sex ratio was 0.65. Pre-oviposition, oviposition and post-oviposition periods lasted 1.8, 8.27 and 0.66 days, respectively. The gross reproductive rate ( GRR ), net reproductive rate ( R 0 ), intrinsic rate of increase ( r m ), finite rate of increase (λ), mean generation time ( T ) and doubling time ( DT ) were calculated to be 110.56 females/female, 23.54 females/ female, 0.195 day -1 , 1.215 day -1 , 16.23 days and 3.55 days, respectively. The results of this study reveal high potential of H. feroniarum as a major pest of laboratory cultures.