BioControl (2012) 57, 611-618

Kwabena O. Baffoe, Peter Dalin, Göran Nordlander and Johan A. Stenberg (2012)
Importance of temperature for the performance and biocontrol efficiency of the parasitoid Perilitus brevicollis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) on Salix
BioControl 57 (5), 611-618
Abstract: With the prospect of warmer temperatures as a consequence of ongoing climate change, it is important to investigate how such increases will affect parasitoids and their top-down suppression of herbivory in agroecosystems. Here we studied how the performance and biocontrol efficiency of the willow "bodyguard" Perilitus brevicollis Haliday (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) were affected at different constant temperatures (10, 15, 20, 25°C) when parasitizing a pest insect, the blue willow beetle (Phratora vulgatissima L., Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Parasitism did not reduce herbivory at all at 10°C, indicating poor biocontrol efficiency at low temperatures. At higher temperatures, however, parasitism reduced herbivory substantially, implying that biocontrol may be promoted by a warmer climate. Parasitoid performance (survival and development rate) generally increased with increasing temperature up to 20°C. The only exception was body size, which followed the temperature-size rule and decreased with increasing temperature. Our results indicate that a warmer climate may enhance the biocontrol of the blue willow beetle in environments that currently are cooler than the parasitoid's optimal temperature for development.
(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): Johan A. Stenberg, Göran Nordlander

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.
	Phratora vulgatissima	Willow (Salix)
Perilitus brevicollis (parasitoid)	Phratora vulgatissima	Willow (Salix)