Pest Management Science (2019) 75, 702-707

Tao Wang, Michael Anthony Keller and Katja Hogendoorn (2019)
The effects of temperature on the development, fecundity and mortality of Eretmocerus warrae: is Eretmocerus warrae better adapted to high temperatures than Encarsia formosa?
Pest Management Science 75 (3), 702-707
Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Eretmocerus warrae (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) is a parasitoid of the glasshouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). Here, we compare its potential as a biological control agent at high temperatures to that of Encarsia formosa (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), a wasp which is widely sold for control of T. vaporariorum.
RESULTS
Eretmocerus warrae attained the highest estimated developmental rate at 31.4 °C and the maximum oviposition rate at 30.5 °C. Developmental times of E. warrae at fluctuating temperatures that simulate night-day patterns were similar to those predicted based on constant temperatures. Above the optimum temperature, E. warrae tolerated higher constant temperatures than En. formosa during development and as adults. Using a ramping temperature approach, the critical thermal maximum for adult E. warrae was significantly higher than that of adult En. formosa.
CONCLUSION
Eretmocerus warrae is better adapted to high temperatures than En. formosa, and could therefore be a complementary or superior biological control agent during summer months in hot regions.
(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): Michael A. Keller

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Trialeurodes vaporariorum
Encarsia formosa (parasitoid)	Trialeurodes vaporariorum
Eretmocerus warrae (parasitoid)	Trialeurodes vaporariorum