Environmental Entomology (2010) 39, 177-189

Babak Zahiri, Yaghoub Fathipour, Mohammad Khanjani, Saeid Moharramipour and Myron P. Zalucki (2010)
Preimaginal development response to constant temperatures in Hypera postica (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) : Picking the best model
Environmental Entomology 39 (1), 177-189
Abstract: Immature survival and development of alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica (Gyllenhal) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), were examined at 15 constant temperatures ranging from 9 to 37°C. At 9 and 37°C, eggs did not develop. Embryos developed to adulthood between 11.5 and 36°C, although survival was low at both ends of the temperature range. Distribution of development times for all stages of alfalfa weevil were skewed toward longer times mainly at moderate temperatures. Constant proportion of time spent in egg, larva, and pupa indicated rate isomorphy within the range 14-31.5°C. No significant difference was shown between development time of males and females at any of the temperatures tested. Two linear and 23 nonlinear models were fitted to describe development rate of immature stages of H. postica as a function of temperature, as well as estimating the thermal constant and critical temperatures (i.e., T_min, T_opt, and T_max). There was no statistical difference between the estimated parameters, using Ikemoto and ordinary linear methods. Of the nonlinear models fitted, the Logan-6/Lactin-2, Analytis-3/Briere-2, and Analytis-3/Briere-2 models were found to be the best for modeling development rate of egg, larva, and entire immature stages of H. postica, respectively. Our findings will be incorporated in more efficient phenological models of this pest and its population dynamics.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Yaghoub Fathipour

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Hypera postica