Life History of the Whitefly Predator Nephaspis oculatus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) at Six Constant Temperatures |
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Authors: | Shun-Xiang Ren Philip A. Stansly Tong-Xian Liu |
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Affiliation: | a Laboratory of Insect Zoology, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510692, People's Republic of China;b University of Florida, Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, 2686 State Road 29, North Immokalee, Florida, 34142;c Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Texas A&M University, 2415 East Highway 83, Weslaco, Texas, 78596-8399 |
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Abstract: | Nephaspis oculatus (Blatchley) is a predator of whiteflies including Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) and B. argentifolii Bellows and Perring. The usefulness of this and other coccinellid predators of whiteflies could be improved by better information on responses to different temperatures experienced in the field. We reared N. oculatus from egg to adult in incubators at six constant temperatures and observed a linear relationship between developmental time and temperature for all preimaginal lifestages through all but the highest temperatures (33°C). Four larval instars were observed, although a significant proportion of third instar larvae molted directly to the pupal stage at 29°C and above. Complete life table data were obtained at all temperatures except 33°C. Survivorship was greatest over all immature stages at 26°C and finite and intrinsic rates of increase were highest at this temperature. Although 26°C appeared to be the optimum temperature for population growth, estimated rates of increase at all temperatures tested above 20°C were within 75% of the maximum, indicating that the beetle can perform well within the temperature range usually found in greenhouses. |
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Keywords: | Nephaspis oculatus Delphastus catalinae Bemisia argentifolii Bemisia tabaci Aleyrodidae Coccinellidae biological control greenhouse intrinsic rate of increase lady beetle life history predator |
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