Biology of a South American population of Eretmocerus sp. (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) attacking the greenhouse whitefly
1997
Lopez, S.N. | Botto, E.N.
Eretmocerus sp. was found parasitizing the greenhouse whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum on tomatoes in Argentina. The objective of the present paper is to make a contribution to the knowledge of some biological parameters of Eretmocerus sp. and to evaluate its potential as an agent for biological control. Preimaginal developmental time was estimated simultaneously with that of Encarsia formosa, another aphelinid parasitoid of T. vaporariorum, at two different temperatures: 26 +/- 1 degrees C and 29 +/- 1 degrees C (relative humidity (RH): 50-75%, photoperiod: 14L:10D). The following biological parameters of Eretmocerus sp. were also analyzed: longevity, survival rate (lx) and age-specific fertility (mx) of the adult, sex rate, intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm), net reproductive rate (R0), and generational time (Tc). For this purpose a life table was constructed for the parasitoid at 26 +/- 1 degrees C, RH: 50-80%, and photoperiod: 14L:10D. Results were as follows: Eretmocerus sp. had a longer developmental time at 26 +/- 1 degrees C (19.8 days) than at 29 +/- 1 degrees C (19.3 days) (ANOVA, P < 0.05). This time was also longer than that of E. formosa at both temperatures (ANOVA, P < 0.05). The life table showed mean longevity of the adult: 12.8 days (female) and 7.0 days (male); lx50 (adults): 12-13 days; mean sex rate: 0.57 (females/(females + males)); rm: 0.195 females/female/day; R0: 100.8 females/female; Tc: 23.7 days. Results suggest that Eretmocerus sp. could be used in addition to E. formosa in the control of the greenhouse whitefly.
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