title: Effect of constant temperatures on the biology, life table, and thermal requirements of Aganaspis pelleranoi (Hymenoptera: Figitidae), a parasitoid of Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae).
abstract: Aganaspis pelleranoi (Brèthes, 1924) (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) is a koinobiont endoparasitoid of larvae of species of the genus Anastrepha and of Ceratitis capitata. It is a candidate for use as a biological control agent, as under field conditions, it may reach a parasitism rate of 62%. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different constant temperatures on biological parameters of A. pelleranoi when parasitizing the larva of Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Tephritidae), as well as to determine its thermal requirements. The study was conducted in environmental chambers at 18, 20, 22, 25, 28, and 30 ± 1°C; 70 ± 10% relative humidity; and a 12-h photophase. Females maintained at 18 and 20°C produced more progeny than females at other temperatures tested. The longevity of males and females was inversely proportional to temperature, ranging from 49.1 to 3.73 d for females and from 32.1 to 3.8 d for males at temperatures of 18-30°C, respectively. The duration of the biological cycle (egg-to-adult) was influenced by temperature, and ranged from 69.1 d at 18°C to 30 d at 25°C. No preimaginal development of A. pelleranoi occurred at 28 and 30°C. The relationship between temperature and the demographic parameters of A. pelleranoi showed a linear effect over the temperature range of 18-25°C. The lower temperature threshold and thermal constant were 11.69°C and 391.70 degree days, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Fitossanidade, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Faculdade de Agronomia Eliseu Maciel, 96010-900, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Nava
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Andreazza
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lisbôa
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Grützmacher
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Valgas
authors.forename: A H N
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Maia
authors.forename: R A A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Pazianotto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D005260:Female; D006813:Humidity; D007814:Larva / Q000469:parasitology; D015993:Life Tables; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D017440:Photoperiod; D013696:Temperature; D033621:Tephritidae / Q000469:parasitology*; D014863:Wasps / Q000502:physiology*