Effect of temperature on development, overwintering and establishment potential of Franklinothrips vespiformis in the UK |
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Authors: | Eleni Larentzaki Glen Powell & Mike J W Copland |
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Institution: | Plant Sciences Research Section, Division of Biology, Imperial College London, Wye Campus, Wye, Ashford, Kent TN25 5AH, UK,;WyeBugs, Wye Campus, Imperial College London, Wye, Ashford, Kent TN25 5AH, UK |
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Abstract: | This study investigated the effect of temperature on the development and overwintering potential of the predatory thrips Franklinothrips vespiformis (Crawford) (Thysanoptera: Aeolothripidae), a biological control agent used against glasshouse pests in continental Europe and Israel. Developmental rates increased linearly with rearing temperatures. It was estimated that 304.9 degree days, above a lower threshold temperature of 11.9 °C, were required for F. vespiformis to complete development from egg to adult eclosion. The effect of low temperatures (–5, 0, and 5 °C) was examined on adult female and larval survival. Subsequent reproductive and developmental attributes of survivors were also investigated. Lethal time experiments indicated that larval stages are more cold tolerant than adult F. vespiformis females. Surviving larvae increased their developmental times to adults with decreasing temperature and increasing exposure periods and second instars were significantly more successful than first instars in reaching adulthood. Surviving adult females decreased their oviposition rate with decreasing temperature and increasing exposure periods, and exposures to low temperatures affected the number of viable eggs produced. The results are discussed in the context of overwintering and establishment potential of F. vespiformis in the UK in the event of introducing the predatory thrips as a biological control agent against glasshouse pests. |
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Keywords: | predatory thrips Thysanoptera Aeolothripidae thermal biology developmental threshold cold tolerance non-native biocontrol agents |
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