Influence of temperature on the demography of Bactrocera dorsalis
The effects of seven constant temperatures (19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34 and 36 °C), with a photoperiod of 12:12 hours (light: dark) and 65-85 % RH, on the development, longevity and fecundity of Bactrocera dorsalis (EPPO A1 quarantine pest) have been studied in the laboratory. The insects used were taken from a stock colony maintained for 6 generations in China and originated from a guava orchard in Guangzhou. Development of eggs and larvae ranged from 30.4 days at 19 °C to 17.4 days at 36 °C. Adult life spans averaged 155 days at 19 °C to 30 days at 36 °C. Females laid the maximum number of eggs (1581 eggs) at 22 °C and the fewest (9 eggs) at 36 °C. The low fecundity of 36 °C is thought to be caused by high mortality and decreased rate of ovarian maturation. The intrinsic rate of increase ranged from 0.095 (individual per female per day) at 34 °C to 0.005 at 36 °C. In this experiment, the optimum temperature for B. dorsalis population growth is 34 °C. The authors concluded that the results of this study could be useful for mass-rearing projects and for pest management programs (e.g. construction of simulation models for predictions).
Sources
Yang, P.; Carey, J.R.; Dowell, R.V. (1994) Temperature influences on the development and demography of Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) in China.
Environmental Entomology, 23 (4), 971-974.