Effects of temperature on the development and predation of Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Rondani) larvae

Author of the article:LIN Qing-Cai** CHEN Hao YIN Yuan-Yuan ZHANG Si-Cong YU Yi ZHUANG Qian-Ying ZHENG Li ZHAI Yi-

Author's Workplace：Institute of Plant Protection, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences，Beneficial Insects Research Center, Ji’nan 250100, China

Key Words： Aphidoletes aphidimyza; temperature; daily predation amount; functional respone

Abstract： [Objectives]  To explore the effects of temperature on the development, predation and biological control potential of Aphidoletes aphidimyza larvae. [Methods]  The development, predation and predatory functional response were investigated under different temperatures. [Results]  Developmental duration and predation decreased with increasing temperature from 18 ℃ to 30 ℃. At 22-30 ℃, aphids were first eaten in the 3rd to 4th day of egg production, followed by a peak of predation over the following 1-2 days. There was a significant increase in predation by 3rd instar larvae with increased density at 22-30 ℃. At 18-30 ℃, the functional response of A. aphidimyza 3rd instar larvae to R. maidis approximated a HollingⅡ model, daily maximum numbers of aphids preyed on by A. aphidimyza were 30.9, 33.0, 35.2 and 48.9, respectively. The highest instantaneous attack rate was 0.985 at 26 ℃, the shortest handling time was 0.02 d at 30 ℃, and control ability was strongest at 30 ℃. [Conclusion]  Higher temperatures speed the development and improve the predatory capacity of A. aphidimyza.