Author
Lapointe, Stephen |
Submitted to: Florida Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 4/2/2001 Publication Date: 6/1/2001 Citation: Lapointe, S.L. 2001. Effect of temperature on egg development of diaprepes abbreviatus(coleoptera: curculiondae). Florida Entomologist. Interpretive Summary: The Diaprepes root weevil has become a major concern of citrus growers. Various aspects of this insect's biology have not been adequately studied. Efforts to introduce biological control agents such as egg parasitoids for control of Diaprepes would benefit from a greater understanding of the developmental requirements of the host. To this end, the effect of temperature on egg development, and the upper and lower thermal limits to egg development were elucidated. A linear relationship between increasing temperature and increasing rate of development was described. The lower limit to development was calculated to be 11.8 deg C; the upper limit was between 30 and 32 deg C. This information should be useful for those interested in rearing the Diaprepes root weevil or its egg parasitoids. Technical Abstract: The effect of nine constant temperatures on the development rate of eggs of the Diaprepes root weevil, Diaprepes abbreviatus (L.), was examined. No eggs survived constant temperatures of 12 or 32øC. There was a positive linear relationship (y = 0.01x-0.12, r2 = 0.98) between mean developmental rate and temperature between 15 and 30 deg C. Extrapolation based on the regression equation yielded a lower developmental threshold of 11.8 deg C. The upper thermal limit for constant temperatures occurred between 30 and 32 deg C. This information should be useful for those interested in rearing the Diaprepes root weevil or its egg parasitoids. |