Abstract
This study investigated the effect of temperature on the development and winter survival of the predatory mirid Macrolophus caliginosus Wagner, recently introduced into the U.K. as a biocontrol agent for glasshouse whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum . The developmental threshold for M. caliginosus calculated by three methods was between 7.3 and 8.4 degreesC, with a day-degree requirement per generation varying between 472 and 524 day-degrees. It was estimated that under outdoor conditions M. caliginosus could complete two generations per year in the U.K. All life stages of M. caliginosus had supercooling points around -20 degreesC, with some pre-freeze mortality evident in both acute and chronic low temperature exposures. Acclimation increased survival of nymphal M. caliginosus from approximately 24-52 days when exposed to a constant 0 degreesC. Provision of prey extended survival of nymphs in the laboratory at a constant 5 degreesC from 39 to 64 days and in the field by c . 150 days. The results are discussed in the context of the occurrence and establishment of M. caliginosus in the U.K. and the need to develop a reliable risk assessment system for non-native species used in glasshouse biocontrol.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 112-123 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Physiological Entomology |
Volume | 27 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jun 2002 |
Keywords
- cold tolerance
- biological control
- development
- overwintering
- establishment
- non-native
- Trialeurodes vaporariorum
- Macrolophus caliginosus
- temperature