Total Preimaginal Development Research Articles

Biological parameters and thermal requirements of Trichogramma pretiosum reared on Helicoverpa armigera eggs

Abstract: The objective of this work was to determine the biological parameters and thermal requirements of Trichogramma pretiosum TM strain reared on Helicoverpa armigera eggs. A card containing 20 eggs of H. armigera was offered for each T. pretiosum female, at temperatures of 18, 20, 22, 25, 28, 30 and 32°C. All life stages of T. pretiosum were observed under the given temperature conditions. The optimum temperature for the parasitism of T. pretiosum was 25°C, and the highest longevity was found at the same temperature. The highest parasitoid emergence rates occurred at temperatures of 22, 25 and 28°C. The highest proportion of T. pretiosum individuals emerged per egg was observed at 18°C. Concerning the sex ratio, the highest proportion of females occurred at 28°C, and the highest percentage of parasitism viability was observed at this same temperature. The lowest thermal threshold for total preimaginal development and thermal requirements of T. pretiosum were 10.82°C and 134.55 degree-days, respectively. The estimated number of generations of T. pretiosum in the average temperatures of municipality of Bom Jesus, state of Piauí, Brazil is four per month.

Temperature influences the development, survival, and life history ofAxinoscymnus apioides Kuznetsov & Ren (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), a predator of whitefly

The current work was aimed at studying the biology of Axinoscymnus apioides Kuznetsov & Ren (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) under different temperature regimes. These studies were performed at 6 constant temperature regimes (17, 20, 23, 26, 29, and 32 °C) under laboratory conditions in which A. apioides was fed with Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) nymphs on Hibiscus rosa-sinensis plants. Results indicated that the developmental period for different immature stages decreased with increases in temperature from 17 to 29 °C. The developmental periods of first instar larvae and pupae decreased, while those of second, third, and fourth larval instars increased for the temperature regimes above 29 °C. The survival rates of different larval stages were almost stable at temperatures ranging between 20 and 32 °C. The highest fecundity of A. apioides females (307.80 eggs) was recorded at 23 °C. Based on these results, life tables of A. apioides were constructed for temperatures in the range of 17-29 °C. The innate capacity for increase (rm), the finite rate of increase (λ), and the reproductive rate (R0) reached maximum at 26 °C. The mean length of a generation (T) decreased with increasing temperatures. The lower development thresholds of A. apioides for the total preimaginal development was 9.21 °C, whereas the number of degree-days required for development from egg to adult emergence was 344.83 degree days. The results indicated that the optimal temperature range for A. apioides ranged between 23 and 26 °C.

Adaptive latitudinal variation of the duration and thermal requirements for development in the ground beetle Amara communis (Panz.) (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

The data are obtained on development time at six constant temperatures (12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22°C) and thermal requirements for preimaginal development in a ground beetle Amara communis from Arkhangelsk (64°34′N) and St. Petersburg (59°53′N). The larval and pupal development times were found to be significantly shorter in the Arkhangelsk than in the St. Petersburg population under all temperatures. As a result, total preimaginal development appeared to be shorter by 6.2–6.6% in the Arkhangelsk population. The regression lines of the larval, pupal and total (egg-to-adult) development rate on temperature for the Arkhangelsk population run above and steeper than the respective lines for the St. Petersburg population. Both populations share the similar values of the thermal thresholds (7.2–8.2°C). This explains faster preimaginal development in the northern population under all temperatures above the threshold. Thus, the slope of the regression lines increases, i.e., the sum of degree-days decreases, whereas the thermal threshold for development exhibited no distinctive changes from south to north in this species. Adults from Arkhangelsk reared in the experiments appeared heavier on the average in comparison with those from St. Petersburg, especially at 18–22°C. Temperature did not significantly affect adult weight, except the fact that the beetles were slightly heavier at 20 and 22°C. Consequently, the well-known “temperature-size rule” is violated in this species. Relative growth rate in larvae of A. communis increased considerably with temperature rise from 14 to 22°C. It was significantly higher in the beetles from Arkhangelsk at 18–22°C. There were no differences in larval growth rate between the two populations at 14 and 16°C.

Thermal Requirements and Effect of Temperature and Prey on the Development of the Predator Harmonia axyridis

Thermal requirements (lower temperature threshold and thermal constant) for the development of each developmental stage of the predator Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) were studied on Aphis fabae Scopoli and Dysaphis crataegi (Kaltenbach) under controlled laboratory conditions. The effect of temperature (15, 20, 25, and 30°C) and prey species was examined on pre-imaginal developmental duration and life cycle (pre-oviposition period included) of the predator. Our results suggest comparable thermal requirements for the development of H. axyridis on the particular prey and when compared with other aphid species. The total preimaginal development of H. axyridis, at 15, 20, and 30°C, and its life cycle, at 15 and 30°C, are shorter on D. crataegi than on A. fabae.

Biology and thermal requirements of Chrysoperla genanigra (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) reared on Sitotroga cerealella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) eggs

Chrysoperla genanigra Freitas is a common green lacewing associated with melon pests in the Northeastern Brazil. All life stages of this recently described species were studied under a range of constant temperature conditions (17, 21, 25, 29, 33, 35 and 37°C), a photoperiod of 12h:12h (L:D) and 70±10% relative humidity. Adults of C. genanigra were fed on a diet consisting of a 1:1 (v/v) mixture of brewer’s yeast and honey, while larvae were provided with eggs of Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) ad libitum. The duration of preimaginal development of the species was inversely proportional to temperature and ranged from approximately 63days at 17°C to 15days at 35°C. The percentage of adult emergence varied from 6.7% at 17°C to 76.7% at 25°C, although no larvae were able to complete development at 37°C. The lower thermal threshold for total preimaginal development was approximately 10.8°C and the thermal requirement was 336.7 degree-days. Egg production, along with the longevity of both males and females, were significantly affected by temperature. It is concluded that the best temperature for rearing C. genanigra is 25°C, with the lowest preimaginal mortality and the highest egg production (992.7 eggs/female).

Control of preimaginal development by photoperiod and temperature in the dock leaf beetle Gastrophysa viridula (De Geer) (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae)

Development times of preimaginal stages and immature adult body mass of the dock leaf beetle Gastrophysa viridula from Bryansk (53°N, 34°E) were determined at six constant temperatures ranging from 16 to 26°C and at two photoperiods, 12L: 12D or 22L: 2D. The lower developmental threshold (LDT) and sum of degreedays (SDD) were calculated for eggs, larvae, and pupae; the values for the total preimaginal development were 7.9°C and 274.8 °C×d, respectively. The thermal reaction norms for preimaginal development were not affected by photoperiod, although the adult body mass was on average greater under short-day conditions. Our results confirm the previously published data on G. viridula concerning diapause induction by shorter daylengths, greater body mass under lower temperatures, and narrowing of the thermal optimum range during preimaginal development. The thermal reaction norms for larval development were shown to be the same in individuals that died during the pupal stage, and in those that successfully emerged as adults. Our results are more precise than the previous data on this species due to a larger sample size, careful control of rearing conditions, and the use of an alternative method for calculating LDT and SDD. In particular, a more accurate estimation of LDTs allowed us to demonstrate that rate isomorphy was violated in this species, contrary to what had been stated by Honěk and co-authors (2003).

Life-History Traits of the Predatory LacewingDichochrysa prasina(Neuroptera: Chrysopidae): Temperature-Dependent Effects When Larvae Feed on Nymphs ofMyzus persicae(Hemiptera: Aphididae)

AbstractThe predatory lacewing Dichochrysa prasina Burmeister (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) is an abundant cosmopolitan species. In Greece, it is widespread in orchards and vegetable and field crops, and it has been considered an important biocontrol agent of aphids. In this work, the preimaginal development and adult longevity and reproduction of D. prasina were studied at six constant temperatures (15, 20, 25, 27, 30, and 33°C) and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) h under laboratory conditions. Nymphs of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), were offered as prey throughout larval development. At the highest tested temperature of 33°C, no larvae completed development. At the rest temperatures, developmental time for preimaginal stages decreased from 136.0 to 29.2 d at 15 and 30°C, respectively. Percentages of adult emergence ranged from 48 to 76% at the temperatures tested. The estimated thermal requirements for total preimaginal development were 583.4 degree-days, whereas the upper and lower threshold temperatures were 32.9 and 9.9°C, respectively. Both female longevity and egg production were significantly affected by temperature. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) ranged from 0.01631 to 0.08739, with the highest value recorded at 27°C (0.09831). The rm values determined at different temperatures fitted to Lactin's nonlinear model. The lower and upper threshold and optimal temperatures for population increase were 13.1, 33.1, and 27.2°C, respectively. The results of the current study could be useful for explaining phenology and population dynamics of this indigenous predator in the field.

Effect of temperature on development, growth and feeding of Coccinella septempunctata and Hippodamia convergens reared on the tobacco aphid, Myzus persicae nicotianae

Preimaginal development, mortality, aphid consumption rate, and size and weight upon reaching the adult stage of the aphidophagous coccinellids Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville and Coccinella septempunctata L. collected from Karditsa, central Greece, were examined at four constant temperatures (14, 17, 20 and 23 °C) and L16:D8. The coccinellids fed on the tobacco aphid, Myzus persicae nicotianae Blackman. Egg, larval and pupal mortality was highest at 14 °C reaching 85.0, 73.8 and 29.4% in H. convergens and 49.3, 75.4 and 58.8% in C. septempunctata, respectively. Total preimaginal development ranged from 57.2 to 70.4 days at 14 °C, and to 16.9 and 22.1 days at 23 °C in H. convergens and C. septempunctata, respectively. Heavier and larger adults of H. convergens were obtained at 17 and 20 ° C. In C. septempunctata temperature did not affect adult weight while the lowest size was observed at 14 and 17 °C. Day-degrees requirements for preimaginal development in H. corvengens were 212.9 above a developmental threshold of 11.0 °C. The corresponding values for C. septempunctata were 281.5 and 10.7 °C. In H. convergens total and daily aphid consumption ranged from 46.8 aphids at 14 °C to 85.0 aphids at 23 °C and from 1.5 aphids at 14 °C to 9.2 aphids at 23 °C, respectively. The corresponding values for C. septempunctata were 112.0 and 2.7 at 14 °C and 157.7 and 12.4 at 23 °C. The results show the high potential of both predators as biological control agents against the tobacco aphid. The knowledge obtained could be essential for their appropriate use and for the improvement of mass rearing systems.

Comparative Life History ofLiriomyza trifoliiandLiriomyza huidobrensis(Diptera: Agromyzidae) on Beans: Effect of Temperature on Development

The influence of four constant temperatures (15, 20, 25, and 30°C) on development time and survivorship of Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) and Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard) was studied in laboratory experiments. L. huidobrensis required more time for embryonic development at 25 and 30°C, and less time at 15°C, compared with L. trifolii; at 20°C there were no differences between the two species. Larval development time for L. huidobrensis was longer than for L. trifolii at 20, 25, and 30°C. At 15°C no differences were detected. Pupal development of L. huidobrensis was always faster at 15, 20, and 25°C than that of L. trifolii. Total preimaginal development time was quicker at 15 and 20°C in L. huidobrensis than in L. trifolii; at 25°C no significant differences were found. Highest survival of L. trifolii (68%) occurred at 20°C, while that of L. huidobrensis (61%) occurred at 15°C. At 30°C no adults of L. huidobrensis emerged. The estimated lower threshold temperatures for egg, larva, pupa and total development of L. huidobrensis ranged between 7.3 and 8.1°C, and they were always lower than L. trifolii thresholds, which ranged between 9.9 and 10.7°C. The Logan model was used to describe the relationship between development rate and temperature. The quantification of development times presented in this study, combined with fecundity under different temperatures, could be incorporated into a phenological model that will aid in predicting population charges of leafminers.

Temperature-Dependent Effects on Development, Mortality, and Growth ofHippodamia convergens(Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Insect natural enemies selected for specific traits such as faster developmental times, higher survivorship, increased fecundity, and larger body size might be considered during production of biological control agents in certain situations. For instance, traits related to developmental rates may be selected for if genetically based variation exists within temperature-dependent responses. We compared preimaginal development, mortality, and size of Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville at 4 constant temperatures (18, 22, 26, and 30°C). Total preimaginal development ranged from 51 d at 18°C to 14 d at 30°C. Developmental times were significantly different among isofemale lines of field-collected H. convergens from Oregon at all temperatures tested (18, 22, 26, and 30°C). Variation within female lines was significant only at 26°C. The lower developmental thresholds for egg, larval, and pupal stages were 9.9, 13.7, and 14.5°C, respectively. Degree-day (DD) requirements for development were 58.8, 166.7, and 52.6 for eggs, larvae, and pupae, respectively. Total preimaginal development required 231 DD above a temperature threshold of 13.6°C. Degree-day requirements for 14 field-collected female lines varied from 223 to 273, whereas the lower threshold for development ranged from 13.1 to 13.8°C. Mortality decreased with increasing temperatures. At the lower temperature (18°C), higher mortality occurred during the 4th instar and pupa. Pupal and adult weights differed across temperatures. Heavier pupae and adult beetles were reared at 22°C. Also, wings were larger among beetles reared at 22°C. The development, mortality, and size measurements provide data for establishing suitable rearing conditions for future studies on the ecology of H. convergens.

Analysis of the temperature dependent development of the spruce bark beetle Ips typographus (L) (Col., Scolytidae)

Abstract: Following individual development by means of the ‘sandwich method’ the duration of egg, larval, and pupal stages, as well as of adult maturation feeding of the spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) was measured at constant temperatures in the range between 12° and 33° C. At 20° C complete development from egg to adult emerging from pupa averaged 29 days. The proportion of the duration of larval development relative to total preimaginal development increased with temperature. Developmental rates, i.e. the speed of development increased linearly with temperature in a range between 15° and 25°C. Based on linear regressions, lower developmental thresholds were calculated to be 10.6°C (eggs), 8.2°C (larvae), 9.9°C (pupae), and 8.3°C (preimaginal development egg to pupa), respectively. Differing heat sums reported in the literature matched ours when recalculated with our developmental thresholds. A nonlinear model (Logan/Lactin) was fitted to the data which allowed to describe development in the entire temperature range. It further permits to identify lower and upper (≅ 40°C) developmental thresholds as well as optimum temperatures (30–33°C) of the instars.

Thermal and Dietary Requirements for Development of Hippodamia parenthesis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

The rate of preimaginal development of Hippodamia parenthesis (Say) was linearly related to temperatures from 14 to 30°C. H. parenthesis requires 234.8 ± 10.0 degree days (±SE) above a lower developmental threshold (t) of 1O.8°C ± 1.1 to complete preimaginal development. Newly emerged adults from larvae reared at 18 and 22°C weighed significantly more ($\bar x$ = 0.0095 and 0.0099 g, respectively) than adults reared at 14, 26, and 30°C ($\bar x$ = 0.0085, 0.0087, and 0.0085 g, respectively). Total preimaginal development of H. parenthesis reared at 22°C on pea aphids, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) (Homoptera: Aphididae), averaged 22.0 d, significantly faster than the 23.4 d required on a diet of greenbugs, Shizaphis graminum (Rodani) (Homoptera: Aphididae). Immature survival was approximately 90% on both aphid diets. Adults reared on A. pisum were significantly heavier ($\bar x$ = 0.0098 g) and larger ($\bar x$ = 3.15 mm wide by 5.31 mm long) than those reared on the S. graminum diet ($\bar x$ = 0.0068 g and 2.88 mm wide by 4.87 mm long).

Thermal Requirements for Preimaginal Development of the Strawberry Leafroller (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Preimaginal development rates (egg, larval, pupal, and egg to adult) for the strawberry leafroller, Ancylis comptana (Froelich), were determined at six constant temperatures: 14, 18, 22, 26, 30, and 34°C (±2°, 16:8 [L:D]). Total development was fastest at 30° (22.3 ± 0.2 d) and 26°C (28.1 ± 0.3 d); 108.5 ± 9.6 d were required for total development at 14°C. Survival was >75% between 18 and 30°C, but decreased to 31% at 14 and 34°C. Based on a linear model of the temperature–developmental rate relationship, K and t values were 78 DD (degree-days) above 10.3° for eggs, 254 DD above 9.7° for larvae, 100 DD above 10.9° for pupae, and 431 DD above 10.2°C for total preimaginal development. A four-parameter biophysical model of the temperature–development relationship indicated that high temperature inhibition occurred from 29 to 33°C for the preimaginallife stages. Field development of second- and third-generation egg and larval stages was predicted within three calendar days. Management of the strawberry leafroller is greatly facilitated by predicting egg hatch to synchronize control measures with the first instars, which do not exhibit leaf-rolling behavior.

Thermal Requirements for Development in Chrysopa Oculata: A Geographically Stable Trait

Chrysopa oculata from five widespread localities (southern Canada to montane Mexico), exhibited remarkable similarities in their thermal requirements for nondiapause development. Lower thermal thresholds (t) varied by only 1.2°C., and the degree—days required for total preimaginal development (K) differed among the populations by °85°d. Despite the similarities among populations, the results suggest that the thermal requirements for development are genetically variable. However, two factors may limit the geographical expression of this variation: (1) the multivoltine life cycle could result in seasonal oscillations in the magnitude and projection of directional selection on the nondiapause thermal responses, and/or (2) the thermal thresholds for development and the rates of development above the thresholds may be functionally correlated and constrained in their evolution. Males from all populations emerged slightly but consistently earlier than females. Temperature did not affect sex or survival, other than at 15.6.° where mortality was significantly increased. Among the five populations, only one large difference occurred in the thermal responses; under low temperatures, a relatively high proportion of the two northern populations entered diapause. The differences in diapause induction resulted from the differential effect of temperature on the critical photoperiod for diapause induction, rather than on the developmental rates.