Environmental Entomology (2002) 31, 418-424

Ying Hong Liu and James H. Tsai (2002)
Effect of temperature on development, survivorship, and fecundity of Lysiphlebia mirzai (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae), a parasitoid of Toxoptera citricida (Homoptera: Aphididae)
Environmental Entomology 31 (2), 418-424
Abstract: Development, survivorship, longevity, and reproduction of Lysiphlebia mirzai Shuja-Uddin, a parasitoid of Toxoptera citricida (Kirkaldy), was studied at constant temperatures in the laboratory. Larval development ranged from 8.3 d at 32°C to 20.3 d at 10°C, and pupal development ranged from 3.7 d at 30°C to 15.4 d at 10°C. No adults emerged from mummies at 32°C. Duration of larval development was longer than pupal development. The respective low developmental temperatures and degree-days (DD) were estimated at 3.7°C and 142.7 DD for larval stage, 4.8°C and 94.2 DD for pupal stage, and 6.2°C and 181.2 DD for combined immature stage. The respective optimal temperatures of 30.3, 33.3, and 31.1°C for larval, pupal, and combined immature development were determined from a nonlinear biophysical model. The pupal survivorship was relatively constant within 10–20°C (90–84.5%). The average number of eggs laid per female in the initial 24-h period varied from 106.3 at 25°C to 41.8 at 32°C. The average longevity of L. mirzai adults decreased linearly with increasing temperature. At high (37 and 40°C) and low (5°C) temperature, the average pupal survivorship decreased as treatment time increased. Adult parasitoids failed to emerge from the mummies at 40°C after a 4-h treatment. In addition, the mean longevity of adult parasitoids was enhanced when they were fed with honey and water. The optimal constant temperature range for L. mirzai population growth was 15–25°C. This parasitoid may be more effective in control of brown citrus aphid in cooler months than in summer months.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): James H. Tsai

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution
environment/habitat manipulation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Aphis citricidus
Lysiphlebia mirzai (parasitoid)	Aphis citricidus