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22 April 2023 Life cycle of Melittobia acasta (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) using Megachile rotundata (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) as a host
Alan R. Anderson, Ricardo A. Ramirez, J. Earl Creech, Theresa L. Pitts-Singer
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Abstract

Megachile rotundata F. is the primary commercial pollinator for alfalfa seed production in North America. Managed M. rotundata populations are susceptible to several mortality factors including attack by parasitoids. One such parasitoid, Melittobia acasta Walker, is a multivoltine wasp whose infestations can decimate bee stocks. Details of M. acasta life history using M. rotundata as a host are needed to develop control strategies. Our objectives were (i) to describe the M. acasta life cycle using M. rotundata prepupae as hosts and (ii) to determine the M. acasta developmental base temperature and propose a degree-day model. First, 150–300 M. acasta adults were introduced to 60 M. rotundata prepupae (10–20 wasp females/4 bee prepupae) upon which they oviposited. Progeny development (at 30 °C) was monitored through adulthood. We identified 12 distinct phases of the M. acasta life cycle that were observed among samples over an average of 19.5 days. Second, vials each containing a M. rotundata prepupa with M. acasta eggs were positioned across a temperature gradient bar (2 vials per temperature). In repeated trials, wasp development was tracked from egg to adult where a mean development time for 30 °C was found to be 13 days. A linear regression analysis determined the lower developmental temperature threshold to be 8.55 °C. Application of this base temperature in a degree-day model revealed an average of 305.8-degree-day accumulation from egg to adult. These results provide a framework to assist bee managers in devising M. acasta control strategies and timing their implementation.

Alan R. Anderson, Ricardo A. Ramirez, J. Earl Creech, and Theresa L. Pitts-Singer "Life cycle of Melittobia acasta (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) using Megachile rotundata (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) as a host," Annals of the Entomological Society of America 116(4), 207-218, (22 April 2023). https://doi.org/10.1093/aesa/saad011
Received: 13 December 2022; Accepted: 12 April 2023; Published: 22 April 2023
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KEYWORDS
alfalfa leafcutting bee
degree day
gradient table
parasitoid
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