Effect of temperature on biological parameters of Aphidius matricariae, the Aphis fabae parasitoid
2016
Pourtaghi, Eliza | Shirvani, Asghar | Rashki, Maryam
Aphids can have devastating effects on agriculture and horticulture, and biological control agents form an important means of controlling them. Aphidius matricariae Haliday is an important endoparasitoid for the suppression of aphid pest population outbreaks. In this research, the influence of three different temperatures, 20, 25 and 30°C, on some life cycle charactersitic of A. matricariae was studied under laboratory conditions when present on its host, Aphis fabae Scopoli. At 30°C, the intrinsic rate of increase, net reproductive rate, finite rate of increase, mean generation time and increase rate in one week were all significantly lower compared to the lower temperatures. The results showed that temperature had a significant effect on the duration of parasitoid development from oviposition to adult emergence. Moreover, the value of doubling time was higher at 30°C than at 20 and 25°C. The parasitoid had the shortest longevity, life span and lowest fecundity at 30°C. This investigation of temperature-dependent development and reproduction can help in the management of biological control programs. The results of this study demonstrate that A. matricariae is able to perform, and be mass produced, as a favorable and proper natural enemy for the biocontrol of A. fabae at a temperature range of 20-25°C.
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