Abstract

DUARTE, Héctor William  and  ZENNER DE POLANIA, Ingeborg. TEMPERATURE EFFECT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF Eriopis connexa connexa (Germar) (COLEOPTERA: COCCINELLIDAE). rev.udcaactual.divulg.cient. [online]. 2009, vol.12, n.2, pp.135-145. ISSN 0123-4226.

The appropriate management of populations of biocontrol agents in field and laboratory, requires the knowledge of their biological aspects. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the adjustment of development, dependent on temperature of the predator Eriopis connexa, to the existing mathematical models, in order to determine maximum, minimum and optimal temperatures for the development of each of its stages. Starting with a laboratory colony, the duration of each immature stage and instar at temperatures of 14; 17.6; 25.6; 30; 32 y 34°C was determined. It was found that the developmental rate of the immature stages of E. connexa fits very well the Logan and Brière model, obtaining respectively for the egg stage values of 11.3; 34 and 33°C for the minimum, maximum and optimal temperature threshold. The corresponding values for the other stages were: for the larva the minimum oscillated between 7.7 and 11.9°C, the maximum was 34°C and the optimal varied between 31.9 and 32.9°C. The pupa presented a minimum of 14.5°C, a maximum of 34°C and an optimum of 34°C. For rearing and establishment of the predator, the immature stages develop in an optimal manner at constant temperatures very near to 30°C, but its establishment can be limited at temperatures lower than 14.5°C or near 34°C.

Keywords : Life cycle; predator; coccinelids; developmental models.

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