Journal of Applied Entomology (2007) 131, 65-70

R.J. McDonnell and M.J. Gormally (2007)
Thermal effects on the egg stage of four sciomyzids with reference to phenology and biocontrol potential
Journal of Applied Entomology 131 (2), 65-70
Abstract: With the global economic cost of liver fluke estimated at US$2000 million annually, alternative sustainable control methods need to be considered. One such option is biological control using malacophagous sciomyzids (Dipt.,). The effect of a range of temperatures (14, 17, 20, 23 and 26°C) on the duration of the egg stage of Sepedon spinipes spinipes (Scopoli), Pherbina coryleti (Scopoli), Tetanocera ferruginea Fallén and Psacadina verbekei Rozkosný was assessed using thermostatically controlled waterbaths (16 h light : 8 h dark). In general, for all species, the mean and median egg incubation periods decreased as the temperature increased. Optimum growth temperatures for mass rearing purposes are highlighted for each species. The cryopreservation (−20°C) of newly oviposited eggs for the purpose of long-term storage was also assessed and possible reasons for the variability in the duration of the egg stage between the species in relation to their phenologies are discussed.
(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): Rory J. McDonnell

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.
Sepedon spinipes (parasitoid)
Pherbina coryleti (parasitoid)
Tetanocera ferruginea (parasitoid)
Psacadina verbekei (parasitoid)