BioControl (2009) 54, 65-76

Filitsa Karamaouna and Michael J. Copland (2009)
Fitness and life history parameters of Leptomastix epona and Pseudaphycus flavidulus , two parasitoids of the obscure mealybug Pseudococcus viburni
BioControl 54 (1), 65-76
Abstract: Fitness and life table parameters of two endoparasitoids of the obscure mealybug Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret), the solitary Leptomastix epona (Walker) and the gregarious Pseudaphycus flavidulus (Brèthes), were examined in relation to temperature and host size with a view to determine the efficacy of the parasitoids as biocontrol agents of the pest. Three temperature levels (21°C, 26°C and 31°C) and two host sizes classes (small, which mostly comprised third instar nymphs and large, which consisted of female adults) were studied. The lower developmental threshold and thermal constant of the host and the parasitoids were found similar so the coincidence of pest and parasitoids is likely. The rate of development of the parasitoids increased with a linear trend as the temperature increased from 21°C to 31°C. Temperature had a significant effect on mummification in both parasitoid species and on successful parasitism by P. flavidulus. Host size had a significant effect on the mummification caused by L. epona and on the proportion of the male offspring which emerged as well as on the successful parasitism by P. flavidulus. Life table parameters of the parasitoids were estimated in small and large hosts at 26°C in the laboratory. Both parasitoids achieved a greater intrinsic rate of natural increase and gross reproductive rate in addition to a shorter generation and doubling time in large mealybugs compared with small ones. Consequently, large hosts are expected to have a higher impact on the rise of the parasitoids population and the potential of the parasitoids to control the mealybug population improves with the increase of host size.
(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): Filitsa Karamaouna, Michael J.W. Copland

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Pseudococcus viburni
Leptomastix epona (parasitoid)	Pseudococcus viburni
Acerophagus flavidulus (parasitoid)	Pseudococcus viburni