Overwintering strategies and cold hardiness of two aphid parasitoid species (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae)

The role of winter diapause in two aphid parasitoid species, Aphidius ervi Haliday and Aphidius rhopalosiphi DeStefani-Peres (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae), in host synchronization and the induction of cold hardiness was investigated. Parasitoids were reared during three successive generations on Sitobion avenae Fabricius, at 15 degrees C under a photoperiod of 9 h light 15 h dark. Although these conditions are known to be strongly diapause inducing, neither parasitoids showed an incidence of diapause above 65% over the three generations; the rest of the population underwent quiescence. In both parasitoid species, diapausing mummies exhibited greater cold hardiness than non-diapausing mummies, resulting in significantly lower supercooling points (SCP) and in a higher survival rate during long-term exposures at 0 and -10 degrees C. The induction of increased cold hardiness in parasitoids was thus associated with the diapause state. SCPs of third instar larvae of S. avenae were similar to those of non-diapausing mummies of both parasitoid species, but significantly higher than those of diapausing mummies. The effect of winter climate on the stability of the host-parasitoid interaction is discussed.     

Environmental and physiological factors for diapause induction and termination in the aphid parasitoid,Aphidius ervi (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae)

In the aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi Haliday, the incidence of diapause around the critical photoperiod was dependent on temperature. At a photoperiod of 12 h light:12 h dark, a significantly higher proportion of diapausing individuals was found at 12 degrees C than at 15 degrees C. The second larval stage of the parasitoid was most sensitive to photoperiod and localised-illumination experiments showed that the parasitoid responded independently of the aphid host. The sex ratio of the population which emerged after rearing in short-days and/or after diapause was male biased. Topical application of the juvenile hormone-mimic, pyriproxyfen, before or during diapause delayed emergence of Aphidius ervi but did not induce diapause or influence its termination. The ecdysteroid mimic RH 5849 induced diapause in a few treated individuals but did not affect diapause termination.     

Regulation of host diapause by an insect parasitoid

Abstract. 1. The interaction between larval development and parasitism by the braconid wasp Cotesia koebelei (Riley), was investigated in a population of the butterfly Euphydryas editha (Boisduval) (Nymphalidae). In this population, the butterfly host has an obligatory overwintering larval diapause.
2. It was found that E. editha larvae harbouring parasitoids were more likely to pass through an extra feeding instar before entering diapause than were non-parasitized conspecifics.
3. In addition, some individuals that were experimentally exposed to multiple parasitoid attacks bypassed diapause completely; these larvae passed through five or six feeding instars, reaching sizes typical of final instar post-diapause larvae.
4. The observed effect of superparasitism occurred regardless of whether the host larvae subsequently produced mature parasitoids, suggesting that parasitoid attack is sufficient to invoke the response.
5. It is proposed that the parasitoid C.koebelei regulates the number of pre-diapause feeding instars of its insect host E. editha, and that some component of the female venom, injected at oviposition, is responsible for this regulation.     

One host—one parasitoid system: Seasonal life cycles ofPryeria sinica (Ledipoptera) andAgrothereutes Minousubae (Hymenoptera)

The zygaenid Pryeria sinicaMoore and the ichneumonid Agrothereutes minousubaeNakanishi form a one host—one parasitoid system in nature. Their seasonal life cycles were investigated by laboratory experiments and field observations, and the life-cycle adaptation of the parasitoid to its host was examined. The moth is univoltine. The larva hatches from mid-February to mid-March and feeds on leaf buds and young leaves of ever green Euonymus japonicusThunb . The thermal constants for completing the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th larval instars and prepupal stage were 85.6, 80.5, 85.2, 177,0 and 197.6 degree-days, respectively. The prepupa and pupa vulnerable to the attack by the parasitoid occurred from mid-April to early May and from mid- to late May, respectively. Diapause in the parasitoid is facultative and occurs in the eonymphal stage. The photoperiodic response for this diapause was a long-day type with a critical photoperiod of 13 hr 40 min at 20°C, but it was not expressed at 25°C, most larvae entering diapause irrespective of photoperiod. About 19, 120, 82 and 112 degree-days above 7°C were required to complete the egg, larval, prepupal and pupal development, respectively. These data were superimposed on the photothermograph of Fukuoka, and it is predicted that the 1st adult eclosion would occur in late April and the partial 2nd adult eclosion in early June. The prediction was supported by field observations. The adult eclosion of the parasitoid synchronized well with the apperance of prepupae and pupae of the moth. The parasitoid has two types of seasonal life cycle, one generation and two generations a year. Both types have an extremely long dormant period of 10–11 months due to aestivo-hibernation. This seasonal life cycle enables the parasitoid to maintain its population when the host is in short supply.     

Crowding inhibits pupation inTribolium freemani: contact chemical and mechanical stimuli are involved

The relationship between the development ofCoccinella septempunctata brucki Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and its parasitoid,Perilitus coccinellae (Schrank) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was studied at two photoperiods (L 16:D8 and L 12: D12) at 26°C. The development ofP. coccinellae is well synchronized with the physiological state of the host,C. septempunctata, which can be parasitized not only as adult but also as larva or pupa. The parasitoid larva completed larval development within 19 days in a non-diapausing host, while in diapausing adults as well as in pupae held at diapause-averting conditions, the parasitoid larva ceased growth at the first instar. Growth was resumed when diapause of the host terminated or by the emergence of the adult host from the pupa. About 550 spheric cells, teratocytes, were liberated into the host hemocoel when the parasitoid egg hatched. The teratocytes increased in size in the active host, while their development was arrested in the diapausing host. Application of methoprene caused diapause termination of both host and parasitoid larva. The results indicate that the development of the larva ofP. coccinellae depends on the physiological conditions of the host,C. septempunctata brucki. The host-parasite relation thus represents an ‘endogenous synchronization’ in the sense of Schoonhoven's definition.     

Growth and development of Encarsia formosa (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) in the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae): effect of host age

The tiny parasitoid wasp, Encarsia formosa, has been used successfully to control greenhouse whiteflies (GHWFs) in greenhouses in many countries throughout the world. Therefore, there has been considerable interest in developing methods for artificially rearing this wasp. However, little information is available concerning the regulation of its development including the host-parasitoid interactions that are required for the parasitoid to complete its life cycle. Here we confirm that parasitoid developmental rates differ significantly based upon the host instar parasitized. Development was faster when 3rd and 4th instar GHWFs were offered for parasitization than when 1st or 2nd instars were used. Our results show that it is primarily the embryo and the first two parasitoid instars that exhibit prolonged developmental times when 1st and 2nd instar whiteflies are parasitized. Although percent emergence was not affected by host age at the time of parasitization, adult longevity as well as adult emergence pattern varied greatly depending upon the instar parasitized. When 3rd and 4th instar GHWFs were selected for oviposition, adult wasps lived significantly longer than when 1st or 2nd instars were used; also, there was a sharp emergence peak on the 2nd day after emergence was first observed (reduced or absent when 1st or 2nd instar GHWFs were parasitized) and the emergence period was reduced from between 8 and 11 days to 5 days. In general, the younger the host instar parasitized, the less synchronous was parasitoid development. Previous reports that E. formosa will not molt to the 2nd instar until the host has reached its 4th instar were not confirmed. When 1st instar host nymphs were parasitized, 2nd instar parasitoids were detected in 3rd instar hosts. Importantly, however, no matter which instar was parasitized, the parasitoid never molted to its last instar until the host had reached Stage 5 of its last instar, a stage in which host pharate adult formation has been initiated. It appears, then, that a condition(s) associated with host pharate adult formation is required for the parasitoid's final larval molt. Results reported here should facilitate the development of in vitro rearing systems for E. formosa.     

Reproductive performance of Nesolynx thymus (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), in relation to age of Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae)

An investigation was undertaken to record the influence of host age on the reproductive performance of Nesolynx thymus (Hymenoptera:Eulophidae). This is an indigenous, gregarious, ecto-pupal parasitoid of certain dipteran insects, including the tachinid fly, Exorista bombycis (Louis) which is a well-known endo-larval parasitoid of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Each gravid N. thymus female was allowed to parasitise 1–4-day-old puparia of Musca domestica L. for 2 days at a parasitoid–host ratio of 1:20. The parasitised host puparia were observed for progeny recovery, sex ratio, female longevity and fitness (adult size). In addition, reproductive performance of the parasitoid progeny was assessed by allowing its females to parasitise for 2 days, 3-day-old puparia of E. bombycis at a parasitoid–host ratio of 1:4. There was a significant negative correlation between host age and parasitisation rate, parasitoid developmental duration, sex ratio and female longevity while the correlation was positive between host age and parasitoid recovery per host puparium. Similarly, negative correlation was observed between host age and morphometric parameters (body length, head width and wing span of male and female and length and width of female abdomen) of the progeny adults. Host age did not have any impact on the reproductive performance of progeny adults when allowed to parasitise puparia of E. bombycis.     

中红侧沟茧蜂滞育诱导和滞育茧的冷藏

中红侧沟茧蜂Microplitis mediator (Haliday)是夜蛾科害虫低龄幼虫的重要寄生蜂。田间实验表明,在冀中地区秋季田间条件下,当日平均气温为21.5℃、日平均光照时间为12 h 33 min时,少数个体进入滞育;当气温降至17.9℃以下、日光照时间缩短到11 h 45 min以下时,全部个体进入滞育。室内模拟实验结果表明,在17～26℃、光照时间10～14 h范围内,随着温度的降低和光照时间的缩短,滞育率明显提高。高温能抵消短光照对滞育诱导的影响,在26℃下,短光照不能诱导滞育。因此,低温和短光照是诱导该种天敌昆虫滞育的主要因子。中红侧沟茧蜂感受滞育信号的敏感期为低龄幼虫期,以预蛹（茧）进入滞育。低龄幼虫感受滞育信号以后,需要在滞育环境中发育到老熟幼虫才能全部进入滞育。将室内诱导的滞育茧在4℃左右环境条件下冷藏240天,成蜂的羽化率和寄生能力与没有冷藏的非滞育茧差异不显著;冷藏300天,滞育茧仍有81.4%可以正常羽化。本项研究结果为中红侧沟茧蜂的规模化、标准化生产提供了科学的依据。     

Description,phenology and biology of Zelostemma chionochloae Buhl sp. nov., a platygastrid parasitoid of Eucalyptodiplosis chionochloae (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in New Zealand

Abstract

A platygastrid wasp that feeds on the snow tussock flower midge in the inflorescences of New Zealand snow tussock grasses (Chionochloa spp.) is formally described. Zelostemma chionochloae is a specialist natural enemy of Eucalyptodiplosis chionochloae Kolesik which is the most ubiquitous and sophisticated seed predator of Chionochloa. Z. chionochloae is a koinobiont parasitoid and some larvae enter prolonged diapause inside their host for at least 2 years. Methods for adult rearing are described. The phenology of Z. chionochloae is highly synchronised with its host even after 2 years in diapause. Parasitism levels were found to differ between years and elevations, while sex ratios differed among years. Z chionochloae probably suffers inter‐specific competition with another host‐specific hymenopteran parasitoid (Gastrancistrus sp.) which also parasitises E. chionochloae.     

Partial bivoltinism in a gregarious endoparasitoid: larval diapause as influenced by season and sharing a host

The yearly timing of the life cycle of a parasitoid is a key element of its life‐history strategy. I examine here factors influencing the expression of partial bivoltinism in Tetrastichus julis Walker (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), a specialist parasitoid introduced to North America to attack its univoltine host, the cereal leaf beetle, Oulema melanopus (L.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). The varying tendency was assessed of individuals of this gregarious larval parasitoid to either emerge as adults in the same summer they mature, or to enter diapause to emerge the following year. Parasitized hosts were obtained by rearing cereal leaf beetles collected as mature larvae from grain fields in northern Utah (western USA) throughout the growing seasons in 2013 and 2014. Cocoons spun by these beetles were held to determine patterns over the spring and summer in the tendency of the parasitoid to forgo larval diapause. A high percentage (nearly 90% in 2013) of parasitoid individuals were found to forgo diapause and emerge in the same summer from earliest maturing hosts. This percentage rapidly declined to 20% or less of individuals forgoing diapause and emerging from cocoons as the summer advanced. The percentage of parasitoid individuals forgoing diapause increased significantly at a given time of season (early or late) as the number of conspecifics with which an individual shared a host larva increased. These results may reflect a trade‐off for individual parasitoids in which greater success in finding – and ovipositing in – host larvae the following spring vs. in summer, is countered by reduced survivorship in diapausing over the winter vs. emerging in the same summer in which the parasitoid matures. Expression of partial bivoltinism of T. julis, as affected strongly by both season and within‐host density, results in high rates of parasitism of cereal leaf beetles both early and late in the season.     

Life history and coldhardiness ofAthrycia cinerea (Dipt.: Tachinidae) in western Canada

Athrycia cinerea Coq. is a univoltine parasitoid of the bertha armyworm,Mamestra configurata Walker (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), in western Canada. This parasitoid overwinters as a pupa in the soil. These pupae are less sensitive than their host to increased cold stress caused by lower temperatures or danger durations of exposure. Exposure to −7.5°C for 140 days did not significantly reduce survival. Survival decreased with exposure to temperatures from −10 to −20°C, but survival was 48% even after 40 days exposure to −20°C. The frequency distribution ofA. cinerea puparia per host is highly contagious. Other aspects of the life history are described. Contribution No. 1403 Winnipeg Research Station.     

Adaptative significance of a temperature induced diapause in a cosmopolitan parasitoid of Drosophila

Abstract. 1. We have previously demonstrated pre-pupal diapause in a tropical population of Leptopilima boulardi Barbotin, Carton and Kelner-Pillault (Cynipidae, Hymenoptera), a larval parasitoid of Drosophila melanogaster Meigen. Prepupal diapause was induced by low temperature (17.5°C) but absent at 25°C; it was independent of photoperiod.
2. Four populations which originated from different latitudes (4°S to 44°N) exhibit the same response to temperature without any major genetic geographical variation.
3. In temperate areas, this diapause may permit a phenological and temporal coincidence between the parasitoid and its host whose larval growth is only possible for temperatures above 13°C.
4. The significance of the persistence of this diapause in tropical areas is discussed.     

European field collections and Canadian releases ofCeranthia samarensis (Dipt.: Tachinidae), a parasitoid of the gypsy moth

A programme to collect, import and release into Canada the gypsy moth parasitoid,Ceranthia samarensis (Diptera: Tachinidae) is described. The parasitoid's potential for biological control in Canada is also discussed. The parasitoid was collected in Europe by exposing experimental gypsy moth larvae in areas where local gypsy moth populations were at low densities. Following field exposure, the host larvae were returned to the laboratory and parasitoids reared from them. This technique has shown thatC. samarensis is the suffers 7–16% hyperparasitism. From 83–90% of theC. samarensis typically enter diapause as pharate adults within the puparia. Laboratory tests of post-exposure host rearing conditions indicate that constant temperatures disrupt the normal parasitoid diapause and that this effect can not be offset by use of either static long or short photoperiods or natural daylengths. Shipping and cold-storage procedures for puparia are described. Post-storage time to emergence of adultC. samarensis decreased with longer cold storage periods and with higher post-storage incubation temperatures. Emergence requires 112 degree-days above a threshold of 8°C after a period of at least 8 months cold storage. Releases of adultC. samarensis into field cages at four locations in southern Ontario are documented. While dissection of host larvae from the field cages has failed so far to demonstrate evidence of parasitism, we remain hopeful that some establishment of the parasitoid has occurred.      

Apple sawfly Hoplocampa testudinea (Hym., Tenthredinidae) and its parasitoid Lathrolestes ensator in Dutch apple orchards (Hym., Ichneumonidae, Ctenopelmatinae)

Abstract: Changes in population densities of the apple sawfly Hoplocampa testudinea (Klug) and its parasitoid Lathrolestes ensator (Brauns) were monitored in 15 apple orchards for a period of up to 4 years. The parasitoid species was found in all orchards except one, and was more numerous in plantings on sandier soils. Post‐bloom insecticide applications against other pests, and carbaryl for fruit thinning, often decimated both host and parasitoid in integrated pest management orchards. In organic orchards, where synthetic pesticides are banned, and Quassia is the only remedy against sawfly, the pest is more problematic. The low levels of parasitism in all organic orchards, except one, were possibly due to the application of wettable sulphur during the parasitoid flight period. The sawfly usually recovers more quickly than its parasitoid when chemical control is discontinued, because propagation of L. ensator is limited in various ways. The parasitoid is time limited, because suitable second instar host larvae are rarely available for more than a week on a single apple variety. Moreover, parasitism levels stay moderate because the parasitoid females do not avoid superparasitism. Finally, relatively more sawflies than parasitoids emerge after 10 months underground, because the incidence of prolonged diapause is more elevated in L. ensator than in the sawfly. It is suggested that both the high incidence of prolonged diapause and the inability to avoid superparasitism are useful in reducing the risk of local extinction. Elevated sawfly attack in a single early apple variety would reduce exploitation of suitable host larvae in other nearby varieties, in as far as the parasitoid is not able to distinguish fruitlets with accessible second instar host larvae from those with inaccessible older larvae. Although the former are available for a limited time, the latter may keep the parasitoids from moving to the less abundant second instar larvae in late(r) varieties. Reduction of elevated host density in such an early variety by a properly timed application of a short‐lived pesticide, such as Quassia, increases parasitism levels proportionally, and is expected to promote parasitoid movement to host larvae in other varieties nearby.     

The biology of Meteorus gyrator (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a solitary endoparasitoid of the tomato moth, Lacanobia oleracea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

There is a need to identify potential biological control agents for use against lepidopterous pests in greenhouses. The solitary endoparasitoid Meteorus gyrator (Thunberg) attacks a range of macrolepidopterous larvae, including those of some important horticultural pest species. Laboratory trials designed to investigate the biology of M. gyrator on larvae of the tomato moth, Lacanobia oleracea Linnaeus, reveal that this parasitoid is capable of parasitizing all larval stages of its host, third instars being parasitized most frequently. Each female parasitoid lives for up to 40 days (at 25 degrees C), ovipositing into an average of 78 hosts. Preadult development is rapid ( approximately 2 weeks), and the sex ratio of offspring is 1:1. Parasitism by M. gyrator suppresses the growth of both early and late host instars, and there is a concomitant reduction in the amount of food consumed (overall feeding reduction over a 12 day period is 68%). Our results indicate that inoculative releases of M. gyrator could provide effective biological control of L. oleracea and other noctuid pests of greenhouses.     

Biological parameters of Elasmus nudus (Hymenoptera,Eulophidae), a parasitoid of the pistachio fruit hull borer moth,Arimania komaroffi (Lepidoptera,Pyralidae)

Elasmus nudus (Nees) is known as a synovigenic, gregarious ectoparasitoid of the pistachio fruit hull borer moth, Arimania komaroffi Ragonot in pistachio plantations in southern Iran. The biological parameters of this parasitoid were studied using the Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller as a host and the resulting data were compared with that of its native host, A. komaroffi. The parasitoid developed successfully from egg to adult over a temperature range of 17–35°C. The developmental times of the parasitoid on A. komaroffi and E. kuehniella were not significantly different. The threshold value at which the development rate of E. nudus was zero was estimated to be 9.2°C and the estimated number of degree days (°D) for development from egg to adult was 238 above this threshold. The reproductive potential of E. nudus was similar on both hosts at 30°C. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r _m ) for E. nudus did not vary much between 25°C and 32.5°C. In addition, the clutch size of the parasitoid on the two hosts was not statistically different. The present study provides some basic information on the biological characteristics of E. nudus.     

Development of the parasitoid,Cotesia rubecula (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in Pieris rapae and Pieris brassicae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae): evidence for host regulation

Several recent models examining the developmental strategies of parasitoids attacking hosts which continue feeding and growing after parasitism (=koinobiont parasitoids) assume that host quality is a non-linear function of host size at oviposition. We tested this assumption by comparing the growth and development of males of the solitary koinobiont endoparasitoid, Cotesia rubecula, in first (L1) to third (L3) larval instars of its preferred host, Pieris rapae and in a less preferred host, Pieris brassicae. Beginning 3 days after parasitism, hosts were dissected daily, and both host and parasitoid dry mass was determined. Using data on parasitoid dry mass, we measured the mean relative growth rate of C. rubecula, and compared the trajectories of larval growth of the parasitoid during the larval and pupal stages using non-linear equations. Parasitoids generally survived better, completed development faster, and grew larger in earlier than in later instars of both host species, and adult wasps emerging from P. rapae were significantly larger than wasps emerging from all corresponding instars of P. brassicae. During their early larval stages, parasitoids grew most slowly in L1 P. rapae, whereas in all other host classes of both host species growth to pupation proceeded fairly uniformly. The growth of both host species was markedly reduced after parasitism compared with controls, with the development of P. brassicae arrested at an earlier stage, and at a smaller body mass, than P. rapae. Our results suggest that C. rubecula regulates certain biochemical processes more effectively in P. rapae than in P. brassicae, in accordance with its own nutritional and physiological requirements. Furthermore, we propose that, for parasitoids such as C. rubecula, which do not consume all host tissues prior to pupation, that parasitoid size and host quality may vary independently of host size at oviposition and at larval parasitoid egression.     

Improved rearing and release procedures forCotesia melanoscela (Hym.: Braconidae), an early season parasitoid ofLymantria dispar (Lep.: Lymantriidae)

Rearing and release procedures forCotesia melanoscela (Ratzeburg) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), an early-season parasitoid ofLymantria dispar (L.), were evaluated in 1995 and 1996 at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Mass rearing procedures were developed during the winter/spring of 1995/1996 to produce diapausingC. melanoscela cocoons for experimentation. Program efficiency as measured by percent adult emergence was estimated to be 84% with a measured sex ratio of 48:52 M:F, at an estimated cost per 1 000 cocoons of U.S. $5.26 for materials and a labor requirement of approximately 6 hours. A host larvae:female parasitoid ratio of 100:1 was found to be most efficient in terms of number of parasitoid cocoons produced per female parasitoid, but a ratio of 100:2 was most efficient in terms of number of cocoons per rearing cup. OverwinteringC. melanoscela cocoons under natural conditions for 25 weeks (November placements) before expectedL. dispar egg hatch (mid-April) resulted in excellent synchrony with host egg hatch. Alternatively, holdingC. melanoscela cocoons in cold storage for 23 or more weeks at 5°C resulted in adult parasitoid emergence beginning 10 days after removal from cold storage, and proper timing of removal would result in similar synchrony of adult emergence with host egg hatch. These alternative release strategies give managers increased program flexibility.     

温度和光周期对管侧沟茧蜂滞育诱导及滞育茧的低温冷藏

【目的】为明确诱导管侧沟茧蜂Microplitis tuberculifer 滞育的主要因子,在田间和室内研究了不同温度和光周期下管侧沟茧蜂的滞育率和滞育茧的最佳冷藏温度。【方法】田间实验分别从8月31日到9月25日每隔5 d在室外罩笼内释放管侧沟茧蜂寄生的粘虫幼虫,待寄生蜂结茧后统计子代蜂的滞育率。室内实验共设5个不同温度（16℃, 18℃, 20℃, 22℃和24℃）和7个不同光周期（6L:18D, 8L:16D, 10L:14D, 12L:12D, 14L:10D, 16L:8D和18L:6D）,分别统计寄生蜂在各个处理条件下的滞育率。【结果】在河北中部地区秋季自然条件下,8月底当日平均气温为24.4℃,日平均光照时间为12 h 51 min 时,少数蛹（5.08%）开始进入滞育;9月25日,当日平均气温为17.2℃,日平均光照时间为11 h 36 min以下时,几乎所有蛹个体进入滞育,滞育率达到99.70%。在室内人工控制条件下,当温度为22℃以上,无论光周期如何变化,管侧沟茧蜂不能进入滞育,所结茧全部为非滞育茧。温度为22℃以下存在光周期反应,在温度16℃, 18℃和20℃,光周期10L:14D时形成滞育茧数量最多,滞育率分别为100%, 89.75% 和 29.58%。可见温度和光周期二者共同影响管侧沟茧蜂的滞育。滞育茧在0℃左右条件下冷藏 240 d 和5℃左右环境条件下冷藏180 d, 成虫的羽化率和寄生能力与发育茧差异不显著(P>0.05);0℃条件下冷藏300 d,滞育茧仍有79%可以正常羽化。【结论】该寄生蜂在秋季进入滞育主要是低温条件和短光照反应相互作用的结果,滞育茧在0℃和5℃温度下至少可以保存240 d。这些结果对管侧沟茧蜂的大规模繁殖和滞育茧的保存具有重要参考价值。     

Diapause termination in two species of tropical butterfly, Euploea core (Cramer) and Euploea sylvester (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

Abstract This study examined the factors used as cues for diapause termination by two Euploea species. Euploea core and E. sylvester were collected from two overwintering sites at Chillagoe, Queensland. Under tropical wet-season conditions, more butterflies terminated diapause (approximately 60%) than those kept under dry-season conditions (approximately 40%). However, 100% diapause termination occurred only when butterflies were kept under wet-season conditions and were fed with honey. For reproductive success, Euploea species need to terminate diapause rapidly to synchronise oviposition with fresh, rapid growth of their larval host plants, which often occurs after rain. The presence of rainfall, increased temperature and long days alone is not a fail-safe set of cues for this event. Our results suggest that food (as nectar), in conjunction with these combined environmental factors, provide Euploea species with a reliable signal that larval host resources are available for oviposition.