Host utilization, reproductive biology, and development of the larval parasitoid Tetrastichus planipennisi as influenced by temperature: Implications for biological control of the emerald ash borer in North America

Publication date: October 2018Source: Biological Control, Volume 125Author(s): Jian J. Duan, Jonathan M. Schmude, Xiao-Yi Wang, Timothy J. Watt, Leah S. BauerAbstractThe success of classical biological control programs depends in part on understanding climate effects on introduced agents. Tetrastichus planipennisi Yang (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), a larval endoparasitoid of emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), is being introduced to EAB-invaded regions of the United States (USA) and Canada for biological control. To optimize regional release strategies and increase efficiency of the EAB-biocontrol program, we determined the effects of five constant temperatures from 15 °C to 35 °C on T. planipennisi parasitism rate, development, adult longevity, and fecundity in EAB. Results showed a decrease in parasitoid development time from 139.8 days at 15 °C to 26.3 days at 30 °C, while no parasitoid eggs hatched at 35 °C. Parasitism rates, provisioned with an excess of host larvae throughout their life, increased from 1.4% at 15 °C to 28% at 30 °C then declined to 0.5% at 35 °C. Adult parasitoid longevity declined from 24 weeks at 15 °C to <2 weeks at 35 °C. Fertility table analyses revealed T. planipennisi net reproductive rate was highest at 25 °C, and intrinsic and finite rates of increase were highest at 30 °C, suggesting 25–30 °C as optimal rearing temperatures for this parasitoid. Comb...
Source: Biological Control - Category: Biology Source Type: research