Temperature-related development of the parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis as forensic indicator.
Development times of the forensically significant parasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) from oviposition to pupation, and from oviposition to adult emergence, were studied in the laboratory at temperatures of 15-35 degrees C using host pupae of the blowfly Protophormia terraenovae (Robineau-Desvoidy) (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Total developmental time of N. vitripennis from oviposition to adult emergence (mean+/-SD) was 43.5+/-2.4, 22.5+/-1.1, 14.8+/-1.7 and 11.3+/-0.9 days when reared at 15, 20, 25 and 30 degrees C, respectively. At 35 degrees C, N. vitripennis did not develop successfully. The rate of total immature development (1/days) increased with temperature. From linear regression of development rates, it was determined that the minimum threshold (tL) for total immature development was 9.8 degrees C (approximately 10 degrees C). Above this threshold, the overall thermal constant (K) for N. vitripennis was found to be 224.3+/-1.7 degree-days.
Grassberger
M
M
Institute for Anthropology, University of Vienna, Austria. martin.grassberger@univie.ac.at
Frank
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C
D000818:Animals; D004175:Diptera / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008018:Life Cycle Stages; D010058:Oviposition; D011679:Pupa; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014863:Wasps / Q000254:growth & development / Q000382:microbiology*