Fourth International Bemisia Workshop International Whitefly Genomics Workshop
Oviposition, Development, and Survivorship of Eretmocerus melanoscutus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) Parasitizing Nymphs of Bemisia tabaci (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)
Vegetable IPM Laboratory, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Texas A&M University System, Weslaco, TX, USA. Correspondence: tx-liu@tamu.edu
Eretmocerus melanoscutus Zolnerowich & Rose was originally imported from Thailand, and has been released in southern Texas for biological control of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) biotype ‘B’. It was found parasitizing B. tabaci on various vegetables in the greenhouses at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Texas A&M University System at Weslaco, Texas in 2002. Studies were conducted to determine biological parameters of E. melanoscutus, and evaluate its potential as a biological control agent of B. tabaci under laboratory conditions (26.7 ± 2°C, 50–75% RH and a photoperiod of L:D = 14:10 h). Developmental time of E. melanoscutus was 5.3, 7.0, and 4.5 d for eggs, larvae, and pupae, respectively, with an average of 16.8 d from oviposition to adult emergence. Adult longevities of E. melanoscutus averaged 9.4 d for females and 13.2 d for males. Females normally oviposit on the first day after emergence. Each female laid an average of 122.7 eggs during her lifespan or 12.5 eggs per day. Preimaginal survivorship was estimated at 93.4%. The intrinsic rate of natural population increase (r), net reproductive rates (R o ), generation time (T), and doubling time (DT), and the finite rate of increase (λ) of E. melanoscutus were estimated by life table analysis at 0.2175/day, 61.42 offspring, 19.0 d, 3.2 d, and 1.2429/day, respectively. The results suggest that E. melanoscutus has a great potential as a biological control agent of B. tabaci.
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