The influences of ootheca age and temperature on the life history of Aprostocetus hagenowii (Ratzeburg) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), a gregarious ootheca parasitoid of the American cockroach Periplaneta americana (L.) (Dictyoptera: Blattidae), were evaluated. Oothecae were incubated at 20, 25, and 30 °C to produce oothecae aged 1–60, 1–40, and 1–30 d old, respectively. Fitness traits (development time, percentage emergence, number of progeny, percentage female progeny, and female body size) of A. hagenowii developing in these different-aged oothecae were determined. For oothecae incubated at 20, 25, and 30 °C, parasitoids successfully developed in oothecae aged up to 50, 30, and 20 d old, which represent 72.9%, 65.9%, and 61.9% of the total embryonic development time of P. americana, respectively, without any changes in their fitness traits. When A. hagenowii from oothecae kept at constant temperatures (20, 25, 30, 32, and 35 °C) were compared, the immature development time (71.0–34.0 d) and adult life span decreased with increasing temperature. No parasitoid emerged at 35 °C. The lower, upper, and optimal temperature-dependent developmental thresholds were 9.5, 34.2, and 31.1 °C, respectively. Thermal constant for total immature development was 666.7 degree-days. Temperature did not affect lifetime realized fecundity and number of oothecae parasitized by females but did influence parasitism activities over time. Sugar-fed females sustained longer periods of high parasitism rates (≥70%) at 20–30 °C (15–30 d) than at 32–35 °C (1–5 d). These results are useful for determining the ootheca age and temperature range optimal for parasitoid rearing and for estimating the effectiveness of biological control by the wasps.
How to translate text using browser tools
27 December 2016
Influences of Temperature and Ootheca Age on the Life History of the Cockroach Ootheca Parasitoid Aprostocetus hagenowii (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)
Hui-Siang Tee,
Chow-Yang Lee
ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE
It is not available for individual sale.
This article is only available to subscribers.
It is not available for individual sale.
It is not available for individual sale.
egg age
ootheca parasitoid
Periplaneta americana
temperature threshold