DETERMINING THE DAY-DEGREE REQUIREMENTS FOR GLASSY-WINGED SHARPSHOOTER DEVELOPMENT AND QUANTIFICATION OF DEMOGRAPHIC STATISTICS AT FIVE TEMPERATURES

• Author(s): Hoddle, Mark;
• Abstract: Glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS; Homalodisca vitripennis; formerly H. coagulata) developmental and reproductive biology has received very little attention from researchers investigating management strategies for this pest. This is a major impediment to rearing this insect for experimental work, developing management plans, understanding interactions with natural enemies, predicting incursion risk into new areas, and spread in recently inoculated areas. Field-oriented management plans for GWSS, if they are to be effective, need solid data on day-degree accumulations to predict pest developmental times, number of expected generations per year, and estimates of expected longevity and fecundity. The purpose of this grant is to generate these fundamental biological data for GWSS to assist pest management programs, biological control efforts, and incursion risk management. Work investigating the developmental and reproductive biology of GWSS at 20(o)C and 30(o)C is underway and should be completed by the end of the year (i.e., December 2006).
• Publication Date: Nov 2006
• Journal: 2006 Pierce's Disease Research Symposium