REPRODUCTIVE AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY OF GONATOCERUS ASHMEADI,AN EGG PARASITOID OF THE GLASSY-WINGED SHARPSHOOTER

• Author(s): Hoddle, Mark; Pilkington, Leigh;
• Abstract: The reproductive and developmental biology of Gonatocerus ashmeadi Girault, a self-introduced parasitoid of the glassywinged sharpshooter (GWSS) Homalodisca coagulata Say, was determined at five constant temperatures in the laboratory; 15; 20; 25; 30; and 33C. Wasps at each experimental temperature were given, on average, between 10 and 15 GWSS eggs per day for its natural life for oviposition. At 30C, immature G. ashmeadi sustained the highest mortality rates as adult emergence was lowest at this temperature. The largest proportion of female offspring was produced at 25C and lifetime fecundity was greatest at 25C. The development time was greatest at 15C and lowest at 30C. Mean adult longevity was inversely related to temperature with a maximum of approximately 30 days at 15C to a minimum of approximately two days at 33C.
• Publication Date: Dec 2004
• Journal: 2004 Pierce's Disease Research Symposium