Acta Entomologica Sinica (2009) 52, 395-400

Bao-Zhu Zhong, Zai-Fu Xu and Wei-Quan Qin (2009)
[Influence of temperature on functional response of Habrobracon hebetor (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) attacking larvae of Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)]
Acta Entomologica Sinica 52 (4), 395-400
Abstract: In order to clarify the influence of temperature on the parasitism of Habrobracon hebetor (Say), the paralysis and the parasitism of the parasitoid H. hebetor as a biological control agent against Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner), were determined at 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32 and 35°C in the laboratory. The functional response of H. hebetor parasitizing P. interpunctella was examined at different host densities. A functional response equation was fitted to each temperature regime. The results indicated that within the temperature range of 17 to 29°C, the handling time was inversely proportional to temperature, ranged from 0.341 d at 17°C to 0.068 d at 29°C. But over 29°C, the handling time was extended. The instantaneous search rate changed with temperature, being the lowest at 17°C and highest at 29°C. But over 32°C, the instantaneous search rate decreased as the temperature increased. A temperature mediated functional response equation was fitted to the data, in which the handling time was a quadratic function of temperature. Accordingly, H. hebetor can parasitize more individuals of hosts within the temperature range of 26 to 29°C, which is favorable for its reproduction.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
(original language: Chinese)

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Plodia interpunctella
Habrobracon hebetor (parasitoid)	Plodia interpunctella