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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Lauderdale, Florida » Invasive Plant Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #367286
Research Project: Identification, Evaluation, and Implementation of Biological Control Agents for Invasive Weeds of Southeastern Ecosystems

Location: Invasive Plant Research Laboratory

Title: Temperature dependent survival and fecundity of Lepidelphax pistiae Remes Lenicov (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) a potential biological control agent of Pistia stratiotes L. (Araceae)

Author
item Goode, Ashley
item MINTEER, CAREY - University Of Florida
item Tipping, Philip
item Pokorny, Eileen
item VALMONTE, RYANN - University Of Central Florida
item FOLEY, JEREMIAH - Virginia Polytechnic Institution & State University
item Knowles, Brittany

Submitted to: Biocontrol Science and Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/11/2020
Publication Date: 1/15/2020
Citation: Goode, A.B., Minteer, C., Tipping, P.W., Pokorny, E.N., Valmonte, R., Foley, J., Knowles, B.K. 2020. Temperature dependent survival and fecundity of Lepidelphax pistiae Remes Lenicov (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) a potential biological control agent of Pistia stratiotes L. (Araceae). Biocontrol Science and Technology. 30(4):396-401. https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2020.1713299.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2020.1713299

Interpretive Summary: Lepidelphax pistiae Remes Lenicov (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) is monophagous on Pistia stratiotes L. (Araceae), an invasive floating plant in Florida. Temperature studies were conducted to determine the optimal temperature for development and reproduction for this potential biological control agent. Egg development time decreased as temperature increased from 17°C to 30°C. No eggs developed and no nymphs survived at 15°C. Adult females survived the longest at 15°C, indicating that they might be more resilient to cold temperatures. Optimal temperature for nymph development was 25°C with 29% surviving to adulthood in 18.2 ± 0.4 days.

Technical Abstract: Lepidelphax pistiae Remes Lenicov (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) is monophagous on Pistia stratiotes L. (Araceae), an invasive floating plant in Florida. Temperature studies were conducted to determine the optimal temperature for development and reproduction for this potential biological control agent. Egg development time decreased as temperature increased from 17°C to 30°C. No eggs developed and no nymphs survived at 15°C. Adult females survived the longest at 15°C, indicating that they might be more resilient to cold temperatures. Optimal temperature for nymph development was 25°C with 29% surviving to adulthood in 18.2 ± 0.4 days.