Fecundity and feeding of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Galerucella calmariensis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">G. pusilla</Emphasis> on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lythrum salicaria</Emphasis>

Fecundity and feeding of two introduced sibling biological control species, Galerucella calmariensis and G. pusilla (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on purple loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria L. (Lythraceae) were compared at constant temperatures of 12.5, 15, 20, 25, and 27.5 °C. Larval feeding was also carried out at 30 °C, but at this temperature, larvae developed only to the L2 stage and none pupated. Thus, data for this temperature were not used in the analysis. There were significant species × temperature interactions in fecundity. Of the two species, Galerucella pusilla laid more eggs. Although egg production of both species was lowest at 12.5 °C and increased to 20 °C, at higher temperatures, the two species reacted differently. From 25 to 27.5 °C, egg production decreased for G. pusilla, but G. calmariensis fecundity peaked at 27.5 °C. Significant temperature × species × life-stage interactions were also observed in feeding. For each species, the amount of feeding varied with temperature and stage of development. Galerucella pusilla adults consumed more foliage at 15, 20, and 27.5 °C. However, at 12.5 °C G. calmariensis adults fed more than G. pusilla. G. pusilla larvae consumed an average of 25% less foliage than G. calmariensis. The lower larval consumption of G. pusilla suggests that when food is limited, G. pusilla larvae may have a higher survival rate because of its ability to complete larval development with less food and produce more progeny due to its greater fecundity. When food is not limited neither species would have a competitive advantage and both species could coexist temporally and spatially. However, since G. calmariensis larvae consumed more leaf material, the larval stage of this species would have a greater impact on purple loosestrife than G. pusilla.     

Temperature dependent development and survival of two sympatric species, Galerucella calmariensis and G. pusilla, on purple loosestrife

Two sympatric Europeanbeetles, Galerucella calmariensis (L.)and G. pusilla (Duft.) (Coleoptera:Chrysomelidae), have been released in NorthAmerica for biological control of purpleloosestrife, Lythrum salicaria L.(Lythraceae). Because establishment isaffected by environmental conditions, studieswere conducted at temperatures ranging from12.5 to 30 °C to determine differencesin rate of development and survival between thetwo species. No egg hatch occurred at12.5 °C for both species. Eggdevelopment was faster for G.calmariensis than for G. pusilla attemperatures 15 °C. Theminimum threshold temperature for eggdevelopment was lower for G. calmariensisthan G. pusilla. At 12.5 °C, G. calmariensis larvae developed 1.6 daysfaster than G. pusilla, but at 15, 20,25, and 27.5 °C G. pusilla developed2.9, 1.2, 1.1, and 0.6 days faster,respectively, than G. calmariensis. Nodifferences in developmental rate of pupa andtotal development time from egg to adulteclosion were observed for the two species. However, survival of G. calmariensisgenerally was higher than that of G.pusilla at lower temperatures. No differencewas observed in the preoviposition periodbetween the two species except at27.5 °C. The preoviposition period forboth species at 12.5 and 15 °C exceeded50 days and was much higher than for20 °C and above. The long preovipositionperiod suggests that temperatures below15 °C induce reproductive diapause. At15 °C, G. pusilla females livedlonger and also had a longer oviposition periodthan G. calmariensis. However, fasteregg and larval development, and higher survivalat 12.5 °C may give G. calmariensisa competitive advantage over G. pusillain cooler climates.     

Superparasitism in mass reared Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a parasitoid of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Superparasitism frequency and its effects on the quality of mass-reared Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) parasitoids were investigated under laboratory conditions. Percentage of adult emergence, sex ratio, survival, fecundity and flight ability of adult parasitoids that emerged from Anastrepha ludens (Loew) pupae with different levels of superparasitism were determined. A high prevalence of superparasitism was observed. The number of scars per pupa, produced by insertion of the parasitoid ovipositor, ranged from 1 to 30, with an average (±SD) of 8.3 ± 6.2. Adult parasitoid emergence decreased as the level of superparasitism increased. However, the fraction of females rose with increasing superparasitism and the flight ability was lower in adults emerging from pupae with only one scar, compared with adults emerging from superparasitized hosts. Female longevity and fecundity were not affected by superparasitism. Our results support the hypothesis that superparasitism in D. longicaudata might be adaptive, since adults emerging from hosts with moderate levels of superparasitism showed the highest percentage of emergence and there were no significant differences in the other quality control parameters tested. Our findings are relevant to the mass rearing process, where the ratio of hosts to parasitoids can be optimized as well as the distribution of eggs deposited in host larvae. This contributes to efficient mass rearing methods for augmentative biological control programs.     

Life history study of Thrips setosus

Development, reproduction and population growth of Thrips setosus Moulton (Thysanoptera, Thripidae), reared on a leaf of kidney bean, was studied under six different constant temperatures, and the effect on reproduction of short photoperiod during immature stages was examined. Survival rates from hatch to adult were more than 67.5% at temperatures between 17.5 and 27.5 °C, but less than 55% at 30 °C. Developmental rates increased linearly as rearing temperature increased. A total of 181.1 degree-days, above a developmental zero of 12.5 °C, were required to complete development from egg to adult oviposition. These data were related to records of field temperatures in Kurashiki in western Japan, and an estimate produced that, under outdoor conditions, a maximum of between seven and 12 generations could have developed annually between 1990 and 1999. There were no significant differences in mean adult longevity and mean fecundity among three temperatures (20, 22.5 and 25 °C). The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r _m) was 0.1997 at 25 °C. Reproductive diapause was induced by a photoperiod less than 12 h at 20 °C.     

Population Establishment, Dispersal, and Impact of Galerucella pusilla and G. calmariensis, Introduced to Control Purple Loosestrife in Central Ontario

As part of a biological control program against purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), two species of exotic leaf-grazing beetles, Galerucella pusilla and G. calmariensis, have been introduced throughout North America. To assess the potential of these species to establish in an area approaching the northern limit of L. salicaria, we studied beetle population characteristics and feeding impact on L. salicaria at wetlands near North Bay, Ontario, Canada, where each beetle species was released on a separate site in 1995. Weekly counts of adults and larvae of each Galerucella species were made on tagged L. salicaria plants throughout the growing season from 1996 to 1998. At the G. pusilla release site (Site 1), the abundance and frequency of beetles decreased significantly (P < 0.05) from 1996 to 1998, life history and development patterns were inconsistent and incomplete, and dispersal activity was low. Over the same time period at the G. calmariensis release site (Site 2), the abundance of beetles increased significantly (P < 0.05), frequency remained stable, life history and development patterns were consistent and complete, and adults dispersed actively. In the third year following release, G. calmariensis exhibited a 17-week active period and produced three generations of adults at Site 2. Leaf area analysis on plants harvested in 1998 suggested that the impact of both species on L. salicaria was low. Feeding produced a 4.5 and 3.5% leaf tissue loss at Sites 1 and 2, respectively. The frequency of shot-hole feeding (specific to Galerucella spp.) was 32% at Site 2, where G. calmariensis was established, compared to 10% at Site 1 (where G. pusilla failed to establish) and at a control site. Based on these results, it appears that there is a potential for effective control of L. salicaria in central Ontario using G. calmariensis.     

Interactions of root and leaf herbivores on purple loosestrife (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lythrum salicaria</Emphasis>)

Interspecific interactions of herbivores sharing a host plant may be important in structuring herbivore communities. We investigated host plant-mediated interactions of root (Hylobius transversovittatus) and leaf herbivores (Galerucella calmariensis), released to control purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) in North America, in field and potted plant experiments. In the potted plant experiments, leaf herbivory by G. calmariensis reduced H. transversovittatus larval survival (but not larval development) but did not affect oviposition preference. Root herbivory by H. transversovittatus did not affect either G. calmariensis fitness or oviposition preference. In field cage experiments, we found no evidence of interspecific competition between root and leaf herbivores over a 4-year period. Our data suggest that large populations of leaf beetles can negatively affect root-feeding larvae when high intensity of leaf damage results in partial or complete death of belowground tissue. Such events may be rare occurrences (or affected by experimental venue) since field data differed from data obtained from potted plant experiments, particularly at high leaf beetle densities. Interspecific interactions between G. calmariensis and H. transversovittatus are possible and may negatively affect either species, but this is unlikely to occur unless heavy feeding damage results in partial or complete plant death.     

Effects of photoperiod and temperature on reproductive diapause in Ophraella communa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a potential biocontrol agent against Ambrosia artemisiifolia

Abstract To investigate the seasonal adaptation strategies of Ophraella communa to new habitats, the effects and regulation mechanisms of photoperiod and temperature on the reproductive diapause in a population collected from Changsha, Hunan were examined. Adults showed obvious reproductive diapause, which was regulated by photoperiod and temperature. At 30°C, there was no adult diapause occurring under either long‐day or short‐day conditions; at 25°C the pre‐oviposition period was short and fecundity was high in adult females under L : D 16 : 8 h, whereas under L : D 12 : 12 h, a few females entered reproductive diapause; at 20°C under short‐day conditions, all female adults entered diapause. The pre‐oviposition period was significantly prolonged when the pupae and adults were transferred from long‐days to short‐days, but the day length influence was not obvious when they were transferred only in the adult stage. However, the fecundity dropped greatly no matter whether the photoperiod shifted to short‐days only in the adult stage or whether the shift occurred in both the pupal and adult stage. The fecundity was extremely low when photoperiod shifted from long‐days to short‐days in both pupal and adult stages. This was an indication that the pupal and adult stages were the photoperiod‐sensitive stage for adult reproductive diapause. This was especially true for the photoperiod in the pupal stage, which has a distinctly significant regulative effect on reproductive diapause. Additionally, this article also addresses the reason for different photoperiodic response patterns in reproductive diapause induction between the Changsha strain and the Tsukuba strain (Japan) of O. communa.     

Manipulation of parasitoid size using the temperature-size rule: fitness consequences

The phenotypic effects of rearing temperature on several fitness components of the koinobiont parasitoid, Aphidius colemani, were examined. Temperatures experienced during development induced a plastic linear response in the dry and fat masses of the immature stage and a non-linear response in the growth rate as well as in the size of adults. We investigated if the phenotypic morphometrical plasticity exhibited by parasitoids reared at different temperatures can induce variations in fitness-related traits in females. We did not find any difference in immature (pupal) mortality in accordance to rearing temperature. However, when examining adult longevity, we found an inverse linear relation with developmental temperature, confirming the usual rule that larger and fatter wasps live longer than smaller ones. The pattern of female fecundity was non-linear; wasps that developed at high and low temperatures were less productive. We suggest that when development is short, the accumulated reserves are not adequate to support both fecundity and survival. By manipulating adult size through changes in the rearing temperature, we showed that the usual shape of the size/fitness function is not always linear as expected. Developmental temperature induced a plasticity in energy reserves which affected the functional constraints between survival and reproduction.     

Effect of diet and mating status on ovarian development and oviposition in the polyphagous predator Macrolophus caliginosus (Heteroptera: Miridae)

The mirid bug Macrolophus caliginosus is commercially reared on eggs of Ephestia kuehniella, constituting an effective but expensive factitious food. Artificial diets can decrease the rearing costs of this natural enemy, but developing and evaluating an artificial diet is a very time-consuming activity. In the current study, development and reproduction of M. caliginosus on two artificial diets based on egg yolk were investigated. The artificial diets resulted in longer development and lower adult weights, but survival was comparable with that of control insects fed E. kuehniella eggs. Reproductive potential of the predator reared on factitious and artificial foods was assessed using a dissection method. The influence of nymphal food on fecundity was less important than that of adult food. Adults fed E. kuehniella eggs had a preoviposition period of about 4 days, whereas adults offered only plant material started laying eggs about 7 days after emergence. Ovarian scores at day 7 were higher for females fed E. kuehniella eggs than for those given access only to a tobacco leaf. Ovarian scores were not significantly affected by mating status. In a final test, a parallel comparison of two methods for assessing reproductive response to diet was made. Here, adult couples were offered one of four diets: E. kuehniella eggs, one of two artificial diets or no food. Half of the females were dissected and the other half was held for determining lifetime oviposition. Females fed E. kuehniella eggs had superior ovarian scores and laid more eggs than those fed either artificial diet or those given no extra food. A good correlation (r = 0.97) was obtained between ovarian scores and oviposition data, indicating that dissecting females after 1 week provides a reliable estimate of fecundity as affected by diet quality. Rapid reproductive assessments as used in the current study will help to increase the rate of development of artificial diets and may contribute to more cost effective production methods for augmentative biological control agents.     

Experimental Invasions Using Biological Control Introductions: The Influence of Release Size on the Chance of Population Establishment

Introductions of biological control organisms offer a unique opportunity to experimentally study the process of invasion by exotic species. I used two chrysomelid beetles, Galerucella calmariensis and Galerucella pusilla, which are currently being introduced into North America for the biological control of purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), to determine how the initial size of a release affects the probability that the introduced population grows and persists. I released both species into stands of their host plant at 36 sites scattered throughout central New York State using four release sizes: 20, 60, 180, and 540. I returned to these sites over the next 3 years to census the populations. For both species, the probability of population establishment increased with release size. Population growth rates also depended positively on release size. The implication from these results is that the demographic factors whose influence depends on population size or density such as demographic stochasticity, Allee effects, and genetics play important roles in the establishment of invading populations. A second set of releases was used to determine if it was at all possible for a single gravid female to found a population. Out of twenty individual females released, one female (a G. calmariensis) founded a population that persisted until the end of the study (3 generations). This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of rearing strategy and gamma radiation on fecundity and fertility of codling moth Cydia pomonella (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

The codling moth Cydia pomonella (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is a serious pest of pome fruit worldwide. In an effort to reduce the use of pesticides to control this pest, the sterile insect technique (SIT) is used or considered for use as a component of area‐wide integrated pest management programmes. Rearing codling moths through diapause has been shown to improve the competitiveness of sterile moths released in orchards, and provides management alternatives that would allow mass‐rearing facilities to increase their yearly production of sterile moths. Because radiosensitivity in insects can be influenced by numerous biological factors, laboratory tests were conducted to examine whether the response to increasing doses of radiation, as expressed in the fecundity and fertility of cohorts of moths, is similar for adult moths mass‐reared through diapause or through standard (non‐diapause) production protocols. Our data revealed that the effect of increasing doses of radiation on fecundity and fertility of codling moths reared through both rearing strategies was similar. In the case of fertility, this is a particularly important finding for the expanded application of codling moth SIT. If mass‐rearing facilities use year‐round diapause rearing, the dose required to treat the insects prior to release will be similar to that used when codling moths are reared through standard production protocols.     

Diapause induction in the thrips predatorAmblyseius cucumeris [Acarina: phytoseiidae] under greenhouse conditions

The predatory miteAmblyseius cucumeris (Oudemans) is an important biological control agent for thrips in commercial greenhouses, but its effectiveness in fall and winter is limited by reproductive diapause induced under short day conditions. Influence of photoperiod and temperature on diapause induction was investigated to provide information for successful management of the predator. Under 8∶16 (L∶D) photoperiods and 22°C photophase temperatures, diapause incidence was inversely related to scotophase temperature, decreasing from 100% diapause at 15°C to no diapause at 21°C. In continuous darkness, diapause was induced by thermoperiods of 20∶10 and 22∶17 and 22∶17 but not 25∶15°C (T∶C) (8h thermophase). Critical daylength for inducing diapause under 22∶17°C (T∶C) was 12.45 h, which was consistent with the trend in diapause incidence in mites collected from an established greenhouse population September to November. MostA. cucumeris diapaused only when exposed to diapause inducing conditions throughout their juvenile development and none stopped laying eggs when transferred from nondiapause to diapause inducing conditions as adults. After 14 generations of genetic selection for a nondiapause strain, diapause incidence was 33.3%.      

Comparative analysis of the reproductive biology of two Peristenus species (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), biological control agents of Lygus plant bugs (Hemiptera: Miridae)

Peristenus digoneutis Loan and Peristenus stygicus Loan, parasitoids of the European tarnished plant bug Lygus rugulipennis Poppius, are established in the United States for biological control of native North American Lygus species, and are being considered for deliberate release in Canada. High lifetime fecundity of parasitoids is considered a desirable attribute of biological control agents and therefore, an understanding of parasitoid reproductive biology is required. In the present study, the potential lifetime fecundity of both agents was compared under laboratory conditions to estimate the potential impact of Peristenus species on Lygus. Synovigenic P. digoneutis and P. stygicus females oviposited most actively in the first two weeks of their lifetime, with a maximum average daily oviposition rate after five days. The maximum number of eggs laid per day was 83 eggs for P. stygicus, and 36 eggs for P. digoneutis. P. digoneutis has an average potential lifetime fecundity of 385 ± 35 SE eggs produced over 22 ± 3 SE days. In contrast, P. stygicus females have a 50% higher mean potential lifetime fecundity reaching 782 ± 65 SE eggs over 28 ± 1 SE days. A positive correlation between lifetime fecundity and body size was found only for P. stygicus, and both species showed a significant relationship between lifetime fecundity and oviposition period. The present study demonstrates that the fecundity of P. digoneutis and P. stygicus is considerably higher than previously reported. Based on these findings, P. stygicus appears to be the most effective biological control agent for Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) when only fecundity is taken into consideration.     

Preselection of predatory mites to improve year-round biological control of western flower thrips in greenhouse crops

In spring and summer, two groups of natural enemies are successfully used for biological control of western flower thrips,Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) in greenhouses: phytoseiid mites (Amblyseius cucumeris (Oudemans) and, to a lesser extent,A. barkeri (Hughes)) and anthocorid bugs (Orius spp.). During winter, however, these predators often fail to control the pest. One likely cause for failure is the predators' tendency to enter diapause under short day conditions. In addition, eggs of predatory mites are generally susceptible to low humidity conditions, which often arise in greenhouses when outside temperatures drop below zero, or at bright, hot days in summer. In search for a thrips predator that is not hampered by these conditions, five subtropical phytoseiid species were selected which were known to feed on thrips:A. hibisci (Chant),A. degenerans Berlese,A. limonicus s.s. Garman and McGregor,A. scutalis (Athias-Henriot) andA. tularensis (Congdon). These species were compared toA. cucumeris andA. barkeri, with respect to the following features: (1) predation and oviposition rate with youngF. occidentalis larvae as prey, (2) oviposition rate on a diet of sweet pepper pollen, (3) drought tolerance spectrum of eggs, and (4) incidence of reproductive diapause under short day conditions. The results showed thatA. limonicus exhibited the highest predation and oviposition rates on a diet of thrips larvae. Moreover,A. limonicus females showed total absence of diapause under the conditions tested. A major disadvantage of this species was, however, that its eggs were most sensitive to low air humidity conditions. Least sensitive to low air humidity were eggs ofA. degenerans andA. hibisci. Females ofA. degenerans andA. hibisci also showed total absence of diapause, and intermediate rates of predation and oviposition, on both thrips larvae and pollen. In conclusion, we argue thatA. degenerans andA. hibisci are the most promising candidates for biological control ofF. occidentalis under conditions of low humidity and short day length. The success of these candidates remains to be shown in greenhouse experiments.     

Side-effects of organic and synthetic pesticides on cold-stored diapausing prepupae of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichogramma cordubensis</Emphasis>

The side-effects of three insecticides (deltamethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin and Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner) and one fungicide (basic copper sulphate) were tested on cold-stored diapausing prepupae of Trichogramma cordubensis Vargas and Cabello (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae). Pesticides were directly sprayed on parasitized host eggs (being the diapausing parasitoids in the prepupal stage) after cold storage (3°C) for three different periods (60, 120 and 180 days). Regardless of the period of cold storage, both pyrethroids reduced the emergence rates of T. cordubensis (both <25%) compared to the control (emergence varied from 83% to 89%). The most toxic pyrethroid was lambda-cyhalothrin; Trichogramma cordubensis adult emergence varied from 7% to 15%. Lambda-cyhalothrin also negatively affected the longevity and fecundity of parasitoids cold stored for 60 days. Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner subsp. kurstaki and basic copper sulphate had little or no adverse effect on emergence rates (generally >80%), longevity nor fecundity of T. cordubensis, indicating that these pesticides could be successfully integrated into pest management programs using wasps that were cold stored under diapause. Such integration would be valuable to pest management programs by reducing the costs of T. cordubensis mass rearing and by allowing producers to stockpile parasitoids for release in the growing season. However, since the emergence rate, longevity and fecundity of T. cordubensis generally decreased with increasing duration in cold storage, wasps to be used in integrated pest management programs should only be stored at 3°C for 60 days maximum. Handling Editor: Sam Cook.     

Factors affecting the distribution of a predatory mite on greenhouse sweet pepper

The predatory mite Neoseiulus cucumeris is used for biological control of phytophagous mites and thrips on greenhouse cucumber and sweet pepper. In a previous study, N. cucumeris provided effective control of broad mite but was only rarely found on the sampled leaves, raising questions about the factors affecting N. cucumeris distribution. To determine the distribution of N. cucumeris, leaves of pepper plants were sampled three times per day: just after sunrise, at noon and just before sunset for two years and throughout a 24 h period in one year. The presence of other mites and insects was recorded. Biotic (pollen) and abiotic (temperature, humidity) factors were monitored from the three plant levels. The effect of direct and indirect sunlight on the mites was assessed. N. cucumeris was found primarily in flowers; however, the mite’s distribution was affected by other predators (intraguild predation); in the presence of the predatory bug Orius laevigatus virtually no mites occurred in the flowers. Whereas temperature and humidity varied from the top to the lower level of the plants, apparently neither these factors nor the presence of pollen outside the flowers influenced mite distribution. N. cucumeris was found to be negatively phototropic; therefore N. cucumeris were pre-conditioned to light by rearing under light conditions for 4 months before being released. The light-reared mites were initially more numerous during the noon sampling period, however, rearing conditions caused only a temporary and non-significant change in distribution.     

Selection for non-diapause inAmblyseius cucumeris andAmblyseius barkeri and exploration of the effectiveness of selected strains for thrips control

In Europe and North America the western flower thrips,Frankliniella occidentalis, is an important pest in various greenhouse crops, such as sweet pepper and cucumber. Two species of predatory mite are commercially applied for biological control of this pest:Amblyseius cucumeris andA. barkeri. Thrips control is generally successful from March onwards. During winter, however, thrips control by these predatory mites is less effective. An important reason for this is that the commercially applied strains of both mite species enter reproductive diapause under short-day photoperiods, whereas the western flower thrips does not enter diapause. In this paper we report on selection experiments for non-diapause in strains of both mite species, aimed at obtaining predators that do not enter diapause under light- and temperature conditions prevailing in winter. Additional experiments were done to estimate the potential of the selected lines as control agents ofF. occidentalis. Selection for non-diapause proved highly successful in both predatory mite species. In a New Zealand strain ofA. cucumeris diapause incidence decreased from 41% to 0% in about ten generations; in a Dutch strain ofA. barkeri diapause incidence decreased from 67% to 0% in about six generations. Furthermore, selection for non-diapause had no influence on predator performance, measured as predation rate and oviposition rate on a diet of first instar thirps larvae. Rates of predation and oviposition were the same for selected and unselected lines in both species; rates of predation and oviposition were higher forA. cucumeris than forA. barkeri. After 18 months under non-diapause conditions, no less than 92% of a sample of the selected non-diapause line ofA. cucumeris did not enter diapause when tested under diapause-inducing conditions. This indicates that ‘non-diapause’ is a stable trait in these predatory mites. Finally, a small-scale greenhouse experiment in a sweet pepper crop showed that the selected non-diapause line ofA. cucumeris established successfully under diapause-inducing short-day conditions.     

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.     

Biological studies on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ceutorhynchus portulacae</Emphasis>, a potential natural enemy of the purslane weed <Emphasis Type="Italic">Portulaca oleracea</Emphasis>

Ceutorhynchus portulacae (Coleoptera Curculionidae) is identified as a potential natural enemy of Portulaca oleracea, which is a serious crop weed in many countries of the world. Detailed biological studies on its life cycle, fecundity, longevity and mortality factors revealed that the weevil possess positive attributes of successful biological control agents like short life cycle, prolonged longevity, high fecundity, small size, high rate of increase, phenology of attack, multivoltinism and versatile feeding behaviour. Based on the present study, it could be concluded that C. portulacae could contribute considerably to reduce purslane weed in crop fields.     

Diapause in the egg parasitoid Trichogramma cordubensis: role of temperature

The role of temperature in the induction of diapause in Trichogramma cordubensis (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), under controlled laboratory conditions, was investigated using Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs as hosts. Results indicate that prestorage temperatures and the duration of exposure of the parasitoids to these temperatures affected the induction of diapause. It was possible to induce diapause in prepupae of T. cordubensis by exposing the preimaginal stages (prior to the prepupal stage) to 10°C for at least 30 days, but adults emerged without diapause when the duration of exposure was of only 10 or 20 days. Parasitoids failed to enter diapause when prestorage temperatures were 7 or 12°C, regardless of the duration of exposure. However, at these two temperatures, preimaginal development of T. cordubensis was delayed, allowing short-term storage (40 days at induction temperatures followed by 30 days at 3°C) by keeping parasitoids in quiescence without reducing the percentages of adult emergence. Good percentages of adult emergence after long-term low-temperature storage (30 or 40 days at 10°C followed by six months at 3°C) occurred only when T. cordubensis was in diapause. The long-term storage of parasitoids in diapause allows an enlargement in the mass rearing potentialities of this species for future biological control releases by allowing producers to stockpile the parasitoids for release in the field season.