Entomology, Ornithology & Herpetology: Current Research
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0983
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2161-0983
+44 1478 350008
Gautam SG, Opit GP and Giles KL
The effects of eight temperatures on the reproductive parameters of the psocid Liposcelis rufa Broadhead (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae) were investigated at 75% RH. Peak oviposition rates (eggs/female/wk) at temperatures of 22.5, 25, 27.5, 30, 32.5, 35, 37.5, and 40°C were 5.9, 7.7, 10.6, 13.7, 14.7, 15.4, 13.8, and 8.9, respectively. At these temperatures, L. rufa laid 49, 58, 64, 71, 86, 89, 94, and 94%, respectively, of the total number of eggs in the first 4 wks. The predicted overall oviposition rate or mean number of eggs laid by each female per wk over its lifetime increased with temperature and was highest at 38.3°C (3.82 eggs/female/wk). The longest preoviposition and postoviposition periods were observed at 22.5°C and were 4.4 d and 79.6 d, respectively. Oviposition period and longevity decreased
with increasing temperature - at 22.5°C, these parameters were 145 and 229 d, respectively; and at 40°C, they were 26 and 36 d, respectively. The longest-lived individuals lived for 59, 47, 35, 22, 15, 17, 12, and 9 wk at 22.5, 25, 27.5, 30, 32.5, 35, 37.5, and 40°C, respectively. Intrinsic rate of population increase increased with temperature until 32.5°C (0.18) and then declined. The temperature-dependent equations that we have developed for preoviposition period, postoviposition period, oviposition period, oviposition rate, fecundity, longevity, and percentage of life spent in oviposition can be used in simulation models to predict L. rufa population dynamics for the development of effective management strategies.