Insect Science and its Application (2002) 22, 61-65

Omkar and Ahmad Pervez (2002)
Influence of temperature on age-specific fecundity of the ladybeetle Micraspis discolor (Fabricius)
Insect Science and its Application 22 (1), 61-65
Abstract: The influence of temperature on the age-specific fecundity of an aphidophagous ladybeetle, Micraspis discolor (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) feeding on the cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch (Homoptera: Aphididae) at four different temperatures, viz. 20, 25, 27 and 30 ºC, was investigated. The age-specific fecundity function was triangular and oviposition rate (no. of eggs/day) increased with increase in reproductive age of the ladybeetle, attaining a peak then gradually decreasing before finally ceasing. Young adults were more efficient at converting aphid biomass into eggs than older ones. The oviposition peak tended to shift towards younger females and the oviposition rate increased with increase in temperature from 20 to 27 ºC. The maximum fecundity and percent egg viability was 750 eggs and 95 % at 27 ºC and minimum 385 eggs and 65 % at 20 ºC, respectively.

L'influence de la température sur l'évolution de la fécondité de la coccinelle aphidiphage Micraspis discolor (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) se nourissant sur le puceron du niébé, Aphis craccivora Koch (Homoptera: Aphididae) a été étudiée à quatre températures différentes, 20, 25, 27 et 30°C. Le taux d'oviposition (nb d'oeufs/jour) augmente avec l'âge reproducteur de la coccinelle, atteignant un pic puis diminuant progressivement avant de cesser. La conversion de la biomasse des pucerons en oeufs est plus performante chez les jeunes adultes que chez les individus âgés. Le pic d'oviposition s'observe chez les jeunes femelles et le taux d'oviposition augmente avec la température entre 20 et 27°C. La fécondité et le pourcentage d'oeufs viables sont maximum à 27°C avec 750 oeufs et 95% et minimum à 20 °C avec 385 oeufs et 65%.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Omkar

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Aphis craccivora
Micraspis discolor (predator)	Aphis craccivora