Annals of the Entomological Society of America (2011) 104, 488-497

R.N. Chiarelli, P.D. Pratt, C.S. Silvers, J.S. Blackwood and T.D. Center (2011)
Influence of temperature, humidity, and plant terpenoid profile on life history characteristics of Boreioglycaspis melaleucae (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), a biological control agent of the invasive tree Melaleuca quinquenervia
Annals of the Entomological Society of America 104 (3), 488-497
Abstract: We investigated how environmental variables influence development and survivorship of Boreioglycaspis melaleucae Moore (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) by quantifying life history characteristics of adults, eggs, and nymphs when held at eight constant temperatures, four relative humidities, and on plants that differed in foliar terpenoid profiles. There is insufficient evidence to conclude that terpenoid profiles or humidity influence B. melaleucae development. Although longevity of adult psyllids is greater on plants that contain E-nerolidol versus viridiflorol profiles, this does not translate to a longer ovipositional period or increased fecundity. Similarly, humidity treatments had a limited and inconsistent effect on B. melaleucae developmental rates and nymphal survivorship. In contrast, developmental rates increased linearly with increasing temperature to an optimum 25°C, whereas greater temperatures caused total developmental rates to decrease. Temperature also affected nymphal survivorship, with no individuals completing development below 10 or above 30°C. Mean maximum daily temperatures in southern Florida commonly exceeded 30°C, with maximum temperatures ranging from 30 to 35°C (in Broward Co.) during 138 d in 2006. Therefore, we conclude that lethal upper temperature thresholds will limit population growth rates during summer.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Paul D. Pratt, Ted D. Center

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Melaleuca quinquenervia (weed)
Boreioglycaspis melaleucae (weed bioagent)	Melaleuca quinquenervia (weed)