Author(s): CASTRO, C. F.; ALMEIDA, L. M.; PENTEADO, S. do R. C.

Summary: The impacts of temperature on Harmonia axyridis and its potential as a control agent of Cinara atlantica, the Carolina conifer aphid, were evaluated. The experiments were conducted with eggs from field-collected adults. Each egg batch was kept at 15 °C, 20 °C and 25°C, 70% RH and 12:12 h. L:D. After hatching, the larvae were reared individually until adult emergence and all insects were kept under the same conditions. The mean period of egg incubation, total developmental time and egg viability were longer at 15 °C that than at the other 2 temperatures. Survival was 100% for all the larval, pre-pupal and pupal stages. The longevity was longer at 15 °C and 20 °C than 25 °C. The mean number of eggs produced was significantly higher at 15°C than at the other 2 temperatures. The post-oviposition period increased with increasing temperature. The highest specific fertility was recorded at 15 °C, followed by 25 °C and 20 °C, respectively. The net reproductive rate was higher at 15 °C than at the 2 higher temperatures. The time interval between each generation (T) decreased with increasing temperature and the population doubling time (DT) was higher at 15 °C than at 20 °C and 25 °C. The intrinsic rates of increase (rm) were very similar at the 3 temperatures, but the finite rate of population increase (?) was higher at 25 °C than at the 2 lower temperatures. The results indicate that H. axyridis shows great potential as a biological control agent of C. atlantica.

Publication year: 2011

Types of publication: Journal article

Unit: Embrapa Forestry

Keywords: Coleoptera, Harmonia axyrids