Biocontrol Science and Technology (2011) 21, 215-224

Zhong-Shi Zhou, Jian-Ying Guo, Hong-Mu Ai, Min Li and Fang-Hao Wan (2011)
Rapid cold-hardening response in Ophraella communa LeSage (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a biological control agent of Ambrosia artemisiifolia
Biocontrol Science and Technology 21 (2), 215-224
Abstract: In China, an unintentionally introduced beetle Ophraella communa shows good control efficiency against invasive common ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia. With the aim of understanding the capacity of O. communa to overcome sub-zero low temperature rapidly, the longevity, survival and fecundity of the beetle adults were studied at conditions of different rapid cold-hardening in the laboratory. The results showed that approximately 20% female or male individuals still survive at -12°C for 2 h, thus the discriminating temperature for rapid cold-hardening of both female and male beetles is -12°C. The survival, longevity and fecundity of adult beetles were significantly affected by rapid cold-hardening treatments. Compared to the control, the survival rates of adult beetles experiencing 2 h of rapid cold-hardening at 2, 5 and 8°C prior to exposure to its discriminating temperature (-12°C) were significantly increased. Adult longevity and fecundity were significantly higher after pre-treatment at 2, 5 and 8°C for 2 h than those of the control. Both longest longevity and maximum fecundity of adult beetles were observed at the rapid cold-hardening of 2°C. Our experiment implies that the cold-tolerance ability of O. communa can be rapidly increased after rapid cold-hardening treatments, which reveals an important ecological significance for population establishment and expansion of O. communa in the invaded areas of common ragweed.
(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): Fang Hao Wan

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Ambrosia artemisiifolia (weed)
Ophraella communa (weed bioagent)	Ambrosia artemisiifolia (weed)