Effect of temperature on the reproductive biology of Peristenus spretus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a biological control agent of the plant bug Apolygus lucorum (Hemiptera: Miridae)

Peristenus spretus Chen et van Achterberg (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a parasitoid of the plant bug Apolygus lucorum (Hemiptera: Miridae), has been studied for use in augmentative biological control in China. Under laboratory conditions, we explored the development, survival, age-specific and potential lifetime fecundity, oviposition period and progeny sex ratio of P. spretus reared at six constant temperatures (15°C, 19°C, 23°C, 27°C, 31°C, 35°C) on the second instar nymphs of A. lucorum. At 15°C, male and female P. spretus took 48.7 ± 0.3 and 52.5 ± 0.3 days to complete their immature development, while developmental time was reduced by more than half at 23°C and 27°C. The parasitoid can only develop to the larval stage at 31°C and neither larva nor pupa survived at 35°C. The estimated lower developmental threshold of the immature stage was 7.3°C. When parasitoid adults were exposed at 15°C, females laid 90% of their eggs at first 19 days of oviposition and had an extended reproductive life. In contrast, females held at 27°C laid most of their eggs (90%) in their first of 10 days of oviposition and had shorter longevity. The highest potential lifetime fecundity of P. spretus was 671.2 ± 34.7 SE eggs produced over 23.4 ± 1.4 SE days at 23°C. At 15°C, 19°C and 23°C, sex ratios of reared parasitoids were male-biased, but at 27°C there was no male bias.     

Influences of temperature and humidity on the life history parameters and prey consumption of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anthocoris minki</Emphasis> Dohrn (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae)

Anthocoris minki Dohrn is a promising indigenous Anthocoris species for the biological control of Agonoscena pistaciae Burck. and Laut. (Homoptera: Psyllidae) in pistachio orchards in Turkey. The adult longevity, fecundity, life table parameters and prey consumption of A. minki fed on Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs were studied at combinations of three constant temperatures (20, 25 and 30 ± 1°C) with two relative humidity (RH) levels (40 and 65 ± 5%). Studies indicated that temperature and RH significantly affected adult longevity, fecundity and prey consumption of A. minki. The greatest adult female longevity was 116.0 days at 20°C and 65% RH; the shortest adult female longevity was 27.5 days at 30°C and 40% RH. At all tested temperatures, the oviposition period and prey consumption of both females and males significantly decreased at low RH compared to high RH. The highest and lowest total fecundities were 276.0 eggs (at 20°C and 65% RH) and 42.4 eggs (at 25°C and 40% RH), respectively. The intrinsic rates of natural increase (r _m) at 40 and 65% RH were 0.049 and 0.076 at 20°C, 0.072 and 0.096 at 25°C and 0.076 and 0.112 at 30°C, respectively. The highest mean numbers of E. kuehniella eggs consumed by females and males were 859.6 (at 20°C) and 515.3 (at 25°C) at 65% RH, respectively; the lowest were 183.3 (at 20°C) and 95.5 (at 25°C) at 40% RH, respectively.     

Effect of Temperature on Development and Fecundity of the Predaceous Plant Bug <Emphasis Type="Italic">Deraeocoris brevis</Emphasis> Reared on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ephestia kuehniella</Emphasis> Eggs

Temperature-dependent development and oviposition component models were developed for Deraeocoris brevis (Uhler) (Hemiptera: Miridae). Egg development times decreased with increasing temperature and ranged from 35.8 d at 15 °C to 6.7 d at 32 °C. Total development times of nymphs reared on frozen Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs decreased from an estimated 55.6 d at 15 °C to 9.2 d at 32 °C and 10.0 d at 34.6 °C. By fitting linear models to the data the lower developmental threshold temperatures for eggs, small nymphs (1st to 3rd instar), large nymphs (4th to 5th instar), and all nymphs combined were calculated as 10.5, 12.5, 11.8, and 11.9 °C, respectively. The thermal constants were 144.1, 90.3, 95.0, and 190.8 degree-days for each of the above stages. The non-linear model was based on a Gaussian equation, which fit the relationship between development rate and temperature well for all stages. The Weibull function provided a good fit for the distribution of development times of each stage. Adult longevity decreased with increasing temperature and ranged from 52.9 d at 21.7 to 16.8 d at 32.0 °C. D. brevis had a maximum fecundity of 471 eggs per female at 24 °C, which declined to 191 eggs per female at 32 °C. Also, three temperature-dependent components for an oviposition model of D. brevis were developed including models for total fecundity, age-specific cumulative oviposition rate, and age-specific survival rate.     

Cross-mating experiments with geographically different populations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amblyomma cajennense</Emphasis> (Acari: Ixodidae)

The effect of temperature on the development and fecundity of Sancassania polyphyllae fed on tissues of Polyphylla fullo larvae was studied at 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 ± 1°C and 65 ± 10% RH in a dark incubator. Mean developmental period of immature stages decreased significantly with increasing temperatures from 15 to 30°C. Developmental periods at 30–35°C were not significantly different. The estimated lower developmental thresholds of the various immature stages ranged between 10.1 and 11.5°C. The thermal constant for the egg-to-female adult was 93.5 degree-days. The pre-oviposition, oviposition, and post-oviposition periods and female longevity were significantly longer at 15°C than at higher temperatures. Mean total and daily fecundity were the highest at 25°C, which were significantly different from those obtained at 15, 20 and 30°C. The net reproductive rate (R ₀) was the highest at 25°C (588.3 ♀/♀). The longest mean generation time (T ₀) occurred at 15°C (36 days) and the shortest occurred at 30°C (9.2 days). The highest intrinsic rate of increase (r _m) for S. polyphyllae was observed at 25 (0.61 ♀/♀/day) and 30°C (0.62 ♀/♀/day).     

Temperature-driven models of Aculops pelekassi (Acari: Eriophyidae) based on its development and fecundity on detached citrus leaves in the laboratory

This study was carried out to develop temperature-driven models for immature development and oviposition of the pink citrus rust mite Aculops pelekassi (Keifer). A. pelekassi egg development times decreased as the temperature increased, ranging from 6.6 days at 16 °C to 1.9 days at 35 °C. Total nymph development times decreased from 8.2 days at 16 °C to 3.3 days at 35 °C. The egg-to-adult development durations were 14.8, 11.6, 9.7, 8.0, 7.3, 6.1, and 5.2 days at 16, 20, 24, 26, 28, 32, and 35 °C, respectively. The lower developmental threshold temperatures for eggs, nymphs, and total egg-to-adult development were calculated as 9.3, 4.3, and 6.9 °C, respectively. The thermal constants were 54.0, 101.8, and 153.8 degree days for each of the above stages. The non-linear biophysical model fitted well for the relationship between the development rate and temperature for all stages. The Weibull function provided a good fit for the distribution of development times of each stage. Temperature affected the longevity and fecundity of A. pelekassi. Adult longevity decreased as the temperature increased and ranged from 24.2 days at 16 °C to 14.6 days at 35.0 °C. A. pelekassi had a maximum fecundity of 33.1 eggs per female at 28 °C, which declined to 18.8 eggs per female at 16 °C. In addition, three temperature-dependent components for an oviposition model of A. pelekassi were developed with sub-models estimated: total fecundity, age-specific cumulative oviposition rate, and age-specific survival rate. The oviposition model, coupled with the stage emergence model, should be useful to construct a population model for A. pelekassi in the future.     

Age‐ and temperature‐dependent oviposition model of Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) with Tetranychus urticae as prey

In this study, we developed an oviposition model of Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) with Tetranychus urticae Koch as prey. To obtain data for the model, we investigated the longevity, fecundity and survivorship of adult female N. californicus at six constant temperatures (16, 20, 24, 28, 32 and 36°C), 60–70% RH and a photoperiod of 16 : 8 (L : D) h. Longevity (average ± SE) decreased as temperature increased and was longest at 16°C (46.7 ± 5.25 days) and shortest at 36°C (12.8 ± 0.75 days). Adult developmental rate (1/average longevity) was described by the Lactin 1 model (r² = 0.95). The oviposition period (average±SE) was also longest at 16°C (29.8 ± 2.93 days) and shortest at 36°C (6.7 ± 0.54 days). Fecundity (average±SE) was greatest at 24°C (43.8 ± 3.23 eggs) and lowest at 36°C (15.9 ± 1.50 eggs). The oviposition model comprised temperature‐dependent fecundity, age‐specific cumulative oviposition rate and age‐specific survival rate functions. The temperature‐dependent fecundity was best described by an exponential equation (r² = 0.81). The age‐specific cumulative oviposition rate was best described by the three‐parameter Weibull function (r² = 0.96). The age‐specific survival rate was best described by a reverse sigmoid function (r² = 0.85).     

Reproduction,survival, and life table parameters of the predatory mite <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cheyletus malaccensis</Emphasis> (Acari: Cheyletidae) at various constant temperatures

Reproduction, survival, and life table parameters of the predatory mite Cheyletus malaccensis Oudemans were evaluated at six constant temperatures: 17.5, 20, 25, 30, 32.5 and 35°C, feeding on Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank). Preoviposition period of fertilized and virgin females varied with temperature from ca. 9 days at 17.5°C to ca. 1.5 day at 32.5°C and then increased to ca. 3 days at 35°C. Virgin female oviposition period was significantly shorter than for fertilized females at the temperatures examined with the exception of 17.5°C. The mean total number of eggs per fertilized (169.7 ± 6.6) and virgin female (60.7 ± 4.3) was highest at the temperature of 30°C. The data indicated a significant positive and nearly doubling effect of fertilization on female fecundity at the temperatures examined with the exception of 17.5°C. Age-specific fecundity was described by a temperature dependent model from which the maximum daily fecundity rate was estimated for fertilized and virgin females at 10.3 (at 30°C) and 6.8 (at 32.5°C) eggs/female, respectively. Virgin female longevity was significantly shorter than for fertilized females at 20, 30 and 32.5°C, and decreased from ca. 57 days at 17.5°C to ca. 17 days at 35°C. The Weibull function that was used to describe the age specific survival of fertilized and virgin females produced excellent fits to the survival data. Estimates of intrinsic rate of increase, net reproductive rate, mean generation time, doubling time and finite rate of increase, were obtained. The r_m value increased with temperature from 0.03 (day⁻¹) at 17.5°C to 0.21 (day⁻¹) at 32.5°C, after which it decreased to 0.15 (day⁻¹) at 35°C. These data indicate that C. malaccensis can reproduce at temperatures between 17.5 and 35°C and can be used for biological control of astigmatid mites within the temperature range where the pest occurs.     

Effect of temperature on reproduction and embryonic development of the cabbage stem flea beetle,Psylliodes chrysocephala L., (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

The cabbage stem flea beetle, Psylliodes chrysocephala (L.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is a major pest of winter oilseed rape. Despite the importance of this pest, detailed information on reproduction to predict risk of crop damage is lacking. This study investigates the effect of temperature on parameters of reproduction, egg development and viability at five constant temperatures. Significant temperature effects were found on the pre‐oviposition period, total number of eggs laid, daily oviposition rate, female longevity, egg‐development rate and viability. The mean length of the pre‐oviposition period ranged from 93.1 days at 4°C to 14.6 days at 20°C. Analysis of total number of eggs laid and daily oviposition rate during female lifespan estimated the highest total number of eggs laid (696 eggs/female) at 16°C and the highest oviposition rate (6.8 eggs/female and day) at 20°C. The daily oviposition rate at 20°C was not significantly higher than 5.4 eggs/female and day at 16°C. Female longevity was significantly longer at 4°C, shorter at 20°C and not significantly different between 8, 12 and 16°C. Estimated 50% survival time of females was 239, 153, 195, 186 and 78 days at 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20°C, respectively. A linear model of egg development at 8–20°C estimated the lower developmental threshold to be 5.1°C and the thermal constant for development 184.9 degree‐days. The percentage of eggs hatching was significantly lower at 4°C than at all other temperatures tested. The estimated mean hatching percentages were 47.3%, 70.0%, 72.4%, 66.2% and 67.9% at 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20°C, respectively. These results can be used to predict the start and intensity of egg‐laying in the autumn and the appearance of larvae in the field from knowledge about time of field invasion and from monitoring the weather.     

Age-specific fecundity and life table of Trissolcus semistriatus, an egg parasitoid of the sunn pest Eurygaster integriceps

The effects of temperature on age‐specific fecundity and life table parameters of the egg parasitoid Trissolcus semistriatus (Nees, 1834) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) were examined under four constant temperature conditions (17, 20, 26 and 32°C), using eggs of the sunn pest Eurygaster integriceps Puton, 1881 (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae), an important pest of wheat, as hosts. The intrinsic rate of increase increased linearly, while the mean generation time and the doubling time decreased with increases in temperature. The net reproductive rate, however, varied without clear correlation with temperature. Fecundity tended to be higher at higher temperatures. The total number of eggs per female was estimated as 52.0 and 116.4 eggs, respectively, at 17°C and 32°C, with the highest fecundity rate during the first day of oviposition. The oviposition rate fluctuated from 4.4 to 14.3 eggs per day. Oviposition and postoviposition periods and longevity decreased when temperature increased. Maximum longevity for females was 21.6 days at 20°C, and female parasitoids lived longer than males at all temperatures. The development period ranged from 7.1 days (32°C) to 35.6 days (17°C) for males and from 8.4 days (32°C) to 37.2 days (17°C) for females. The development of female T. semistriatus required 166.7 degree‐days (DD) above a theoretical threshold of 11.8°C and the development of males required 142.9 DD above 13.1°C. The numbers of generations per year for female and male T. semistriatus, given the temperature in Tekirdag, Turkey, were estimated to be 9.0 and 8.8, respectively. The potential of the egg parasitoid for the control of E. integriceps is discussed.     

Temperature dependence for development of the whitefly predator <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clitostethus arcuatus</Emphasis> (Rossi)

This work aimed to study the biology of Clitostethus arcuatus (Rossi) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) under different temperatures and evaluate the optimum temperature for its mass rearing. Studies were carried out in the laboratory at four constant temperatures (15°C, 20°C, 25°C and 30°C), 75 ± 5% relative humidity and a photoperiod of 16 h light:8 h dark, in which C. arcuatus was fed ad libitum with nymphs of all instar of Aleyrodes proletella L. (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) on Brassicae oleracea L. (var. Costata). The following biological parameters were evaluated: development time and survival rates of pre-imaginal stages, adult longevity (female and male), length of the pre-oviposition and oviposition periods, fecundity, fertility and percentage of egg hatching. Population growth parameters, the lower development threshold and the sum of effective temperatures were estimated. Temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C were suitable for the development of C. arcuatus, suggesting that this species is well adapted to the temperatures usually found inside greenhouses or in open fields in temperate regions. Although the intrinsic rate of natural increase and doubling time were similar at 25°C and 30°C, the temperature of 25°C was shown to be the most suitable for mass rearing and development of populations under field conditions, since the percentage of egg hatching and the accumulated survival rates of the pre-imaginal stages were the highest. Considering the estimated lower threshold for pre-imaginal development (7.9°C) and the sum of effective temperatures [293.6 degree-days (°D)], it is predicted for Ponta Delgada (Azores, Portugal) that the first adults of C. arcuatus should emerge by the first fortnight of February and that up to 12 generations per year can occur.     

Effect of temperature on development and reproduction of Neoseiulus barkeri (Acari: Phytoseiidae) fed on Aleuroglyphus ovatus

The effect of five constant temperatures (16, 20, 24, 28 and 32°C) on the development, survival and reproduction of Neoseiulus barkeri Hughes fed on Aleuroglyphus ovatus Toupeau (Acari: Acaridae) was examined in the laboratory at 85% relative humidity. Development time of different immature stages decreased with increasing temperature, total egg-to-adult development time varied from 5.0 ± 0.13 to 17.5 ± 0.29 days. The lower thermal threshold for development was 9.7 ± 2.48°C and the thermal constant from egg to adult was 111.1 ± 12.34 degree-days. Pre- and post-oviposition period and female longevity all shortened as temperature increased. The longest oviposition period was observed at 24°C with 20.4 ± 1.13 days. At 20, 24, 28 and 32°C, mated females laid on average 0.7 ± 0.08, 1.5 ± 0.04, 1.6 ± 0.11 and 1.5 ± 0.11 eggs per day, respectively, but no eggs were laid at 16°C. Both the maximum fecundity (30.9 eggs per female) and the highest intrinsic rate of increase (r _m = 0.166) were obtained at 28°C. The results of this study indicated that a mass rearing of N. barkeri with A. ovatus as prey is feasible at the appropriate temperature.     

Cold storage of the egg parasitoids Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston) and Telenomus podisi Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae)

Adults of Trissolcus basalis and Telenomus podisi were stored either at 15 or 18 °C after their immature development had been completed at 18 or 25 °C. Longevity of the parasitoids in the storage temperatures was evaluated, as well as fecundity and longevity following their return to 25 °C after different periods in reproductive diapause. Temperature during immature development influenced female longevity and highest mean longevity was obtained for females that developed to the adult stage at 25 °C and then were stored at 15 °C (ca. 13 months for T. basalis and 10 months for Te. podisi). For adults of T. basalis that developed at 25 °C, storage periods of 120 or 180 days at 15 or 18 °C did not affect fecundity. The fecundity of T. basalis females that developed at 18 °C and were stored for 120 days at 15 or 18 °C was not affected; however, after remaining for 180 days, fecundity was reduced in ca. 30 and 50%, respectively. Storage of Te. podisi adults at 15 or 18 °C significantly reduced fecundity. It is concluded that adults of T. basalis can be stored in the adult stage at 15 or 18 °C between two soybean crop seasons for mass production purposes, aiming the biological control of stink bugs.     

Life table parameters of an indigenous strain of Neoseiulus californicus McGregor (Acari: Phytoseiidae) when fed Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae)

The life table of the indigenous Neoseiulus californicus was studied at different temperatures and 65 ± 5% relative humidity under conditions of 16 h light : 8 h dark (LD 16:8). The total developmental period from egg to adult varied from 3.0 to 14.0 days at 15 to 35°C. Survival to adulthood ranges from 86.21 to 93.94%, with the highest rate at 25°C. The lower threshold temperature from egg to adult stages of females and males was 10.84 and 10.72°C, respectively, and the thermal constant was 57.14 degree‐days (DD) for females and 56.18 DD for males. Total number of eggs laid by each female was the highest (70.38 eggs) at 25°C, whereas average daily fecundity was the highest (3.69 eggs/female/day) at 30°C. The net reproductive rate was the highest (48.49) at 25°C and lowest (26.18) at 30°C. Mean generation time decreased from 19.04 to 11.47 days with increasing temperature from 20 to 30°C. Both intrinsic rate of natural increase (0.284) and finite rate of increase (1.32) were maximum at 30°C. Adult longevity was the highest (42.75 days for females and 32.60 days for males) at 20°C and lowest (22.70 days for females and 15.30 days for males) at 30°C. Sex ratio was female biased and was the highest (78.08) at 25°C and lowest (70.24) at 30°C. Developmental data of five constant temperatures, temperature thresholds and thermal requirements may be used to predict the occurrence, number of generations and population dynamics of N. californicus as an important biocontrol agent of Tetranychus urticae.     

Reproduction,longevity and life table parameters of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tyrophagus neiswanderi</Emphasis> (Acari: Acaridae) at constant temperatures

The astigmatid mite Tyrophagus neiswanderi Johnston and Bruce is mainly considered a pest of ornamental and horticultural crops. However, this mite has been found infesting Cabrales cheese in Spain, though its population density is low compared to Acarus farris, the prevalent species of astigmatid mite encountered in Cabrales cheese maturing caves. One of the factors that might be influencing this differential abundance is temperature. In the present study the effect of temperature on reproductive parameters and longevity of T. neiswanderi was examined at six constant temperatures, ranging from 10 to 31°C, and a relative humidity of 90 ± 5%. Preoviposition period, fecundity and daily fecundity were adversely affected by extreme temperatures while the oviposition period increased as temperature was reduced. Male and female longevity increased as temperature decreased, but males showed significantly greater longevity than females. Additionally, this difference was greater as temperature decreased. The effect of temperature on the intrinsic rate of natural increase of T. neiswanderi populations was described by the non-linear Lactin model. The optimum temperature for development was predicted at 26.6°C. At this temperature, the population doubling time is 2.8 days. The lower and upper thresholds for T. neiswanderi populations were calculated at 7.4 and 31.7°C, respectively. According to these results, the influence of temperature on the low population density of this mite found in Cabrales maturing caves compared with A. farris is discussed.     

Potential of Haplothrips brevitubus (Karny) (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) as a predator of mulberry thrips Pseudodendrothrips mori (Niwa) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

The predation potential of Haplothrips brevitubus (Karny) for thrips was evaluated in the laboratory. When second stage larvae of Pseudodendrothrips mori (Niwa) were presented to an adult H. brevitubus at densities of 10, 20, 30, and 40 larvae per cage at 25 °C over 24 h, the number of larvae consumed per day increased with an increasing density up to 30. Predation of H. brevitubus exhibited the type II functional response. The mean development time of the egg, larva, and pupa of H. brevitubus were 4.5, 9.6, and 4.8 days, respectively, at 25 °C. The survival rate from egg to adult emergence was 94.7%. One H. brevitubus larva consumed 41.6 P. mori larvae on average during the total larval period. Adult longevity was 35.2 days in females and 34.6 days in males. The pre-oviposition period was 2.7 days and the oviposition period was 31.5 days. The lifetime fecundity was 120.1 eggs and the mean daily oviposition rate was 3.6 eggs. Calculated mean generation time (T) was 29.5 days, intrinsic rate of natural increase (r_m) was 0.162, and net reproductive rate (R₀) was 56.5. The r_m value of H. brevitubus was higher than that of Thrips palmi Karny and almost equal to that of Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande). These results indicate that H. brevitubus has good potential as a predator of P. mori and is likely to be useful for controlling thrips.     

Impact of mating on Anagyrus kamali Moursi (Hym., Encyrtidae) lifetime fecundity, reproductive longevity, progeny emergence and sex ratio

Abstract: The solitary endoparasitoid Anagyrus kamali Moursi (Hym., Encyrtidae) and the Hibiscus mealybug Maconellicoccus hirsutus Green (Hom., Pseudococcidae), were used as a parasite/host model to test the effect of mating on several fitness parameters, i.e. longevity, lifetime fecundity, progeny emergence and sex ratio. At 27 ± 2°C, 8 h light : 16 h dark, mating significantly affected the survival of male parasitoids. Virgin males lived longer (32.2 ± 9.51 days) than mated males (23.9 ± 7.52 days). Female longevity (40.7 ± 16.3 days for virgins and 36.2 ± 10.7 days for mated females) was not affected by mating. The lifetime fecundity of female parasitoids and their oviposition period was not significantly affected by mating. However, the number of hosts parasitized was greater for mated wasps (7.54 ± 4.85 hosts parasitized/day) compared with virgin ones (5.12 ± 2.19 hosts parasitized/day). This resulted in greater progeny production from mated A. kamali females. The progeny of virgin females consisted only of males, whereas the mated ones had a more female‐biased sex ratio. The lowest sex ratio (0.41 M/F ± 0.123) was attained when females had free access to males and were multi‐mated.     

Temperature-dependent oviposition model of Scopula subpunctaria (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

Scopula subpunctaria, is one of important defoliating insect pests of tea plants in China. However, the effect of temperature on its longevity and fecundity had not been reported, and the temperature-dependent oviposition model is lacking. The reproductive characteristics of S. subpunctaria were investigated under eight constant temperatures (13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, and 33℃), with a 14L: 10D photoperid and 65–85% RH. The results showed that temperature significantly influence oviposition period, longevity, and fecundity of S. subpunctaria. The mean longevity of female adults increased from 10.8 days (33℃) to 33.9 days (13℃). Male lived shorter than female did. The mean longevity of males was shortest at 33℃ (8.1 days) and longest at 23.8℃ (17.6 days). Total fecundity of S. subpunctaria females ranged from 15.4 eggs at 33℃ to 279.9 eggs at 22℃. The temperature-dependent oviposition model of S. subpunctaria was constructed based on four sub-models (developmental rate model, total fecundity model, oviposition rate model, and survival rate model). The results of this study would be helpful in forecasting and predicting population occurrence of S. subpunctaria in tea plantations.     

Temperature effects on reproduction and adult lifespan of the smaller fruit tortrix,Grapholita lobarzewskii

The effects of temperature on adult lifespan, reproduction, and oviposition behaviour of Grapholita lobarzewskii Nowicki (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) were studied under controlled and semi‐field conditions to improve the basis for phenological forecasting. The average female lifespan ranged from 18.9 days at 25.1 °C to 65.3 days at 11.0 °C. For adult female ageing, a lower thermal threshold (THR) of 8.6 °C and a thermal constant (K) of 298 degree days (dd) were established. At constant temperatures, fecundity ranged from 0.3 eggs per female at 11.0 °C to 107 eggs per female at 21.2 °C. The highest fecundity of 127 eggs per female was observed at fluctuating temperatures. Oviposition lasted on average 350 dd, but 50% of the eggs were laid within the first 100 dd after adult emergence. Grapholita lobarzewskii had a distinct circadian rhythm for oviposition. Females began to lay eggs at ca. 16:00 hours and ceased at 24:00 hours with the peak occurring generally at 19:00 hours. Females reacted very sensitively to sudden temperature changes. A temperature drop of 3.1 °C could cause a 1‐day interruption of oviposition.     

Effect of mating frequency on fecundity and longevity of the predatory mite <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kampimodromus aberrans</Emphasis> (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

The effect of single versus multiple mating on longevity and fecundity as well as the number of matings required to maximize a female’s reproductive success of the predatory mite Kampimodromus aberrans Oudemans were studied under laboratory conditions. Newly emerged adult females of the stock colony of K. aberrans were placed individually on a bean leaf disc, and maintained at 25°C and 16:8 LD. A young male remained with a female for limited periods or continuously. Mating was a requisite for oocyte maturation and oviposition. Females which mated three to four times during their life and females in continuous presence of males, laid significantly and considerably more eggs than single-mated females. Virgin females lived the longest, and those in continuous presence of males the shortest. In all cases and irrespective of the number of matings, the sex ratio of the offspring was male-biased in the first three to four days of oviposition period, and female-biased in later days.     

Effects of four constant temperatures on the development of two Bradysia (Diptera: Sciaridae) species

In this study, the effects of temperature on the growth, development, survival, fecundity and other population parameters of two local Bradysia species B. odoriphaga and B. impatiens were studied at four constant temperatures (25, 28, 31 and 34°C). The results show that 25°C is the optimum temperature for the growth and development of B. odoriphaga, while 28°C is more favourable for B. impatiens. The temperature of 31°C restricted the growth and development, while the temperature of 34°C inhibited the eggs hatching in both species, resulting in no egg survival and no subsequent development. High temperatures (>28°C) prolonged the 4th larval stage duration, mean generation time (T) and population doubling time (Dt) of both species. The high temperature of 31°C greatly shortened the female longevity, weakened the oviposition and reduced the survival of both species. Moreover, the life table parameters R₀, r_m and λ were also suppressed by this high temperature. However, the high temperature of 31°C had little impact on the egg survival, pupal weight and male longevity. In addition, at 31°C, the values of R₀, r_m and λ of B. odoriphaga were higher than those of B. impatiens, suggesting that B. odoriphaga is more tolerant to high temperature than B. impatiens. The differences between two Bradydsia species seem determined genetically. Our findings are important for better understanding their biological characteristics at a certain constant temperature and demonstrate the possibility to control and manage those two Bradysia species by increasing ambient temperature.