Author(s): AbdulAziz M.A. Mohamed and David B. Hogg
Article publication date: 2006-06-01
Vol. 24 No. 2 (yearly), pp. 41-47.
138
Keywords
Microctonus, solitary parasitoid, alfalfa weevil, proovigenic, superparasitism, life tables.
Abstract
Average time required for Microctonus aethiopoides development from egg to adult was 4.5+ 0.98 d (Mean + SE) at a temperature regime that fluctuated between 15 and 23.3 °C Average longevity of M. aethiopoides females was 15 4+ 1.20 (Mean + SE). Following emergence, mated female M. aethiopoides were provided with 25 laboratory reared adult weevils per day until parasitoid death. Oviposition commenced the day of adult emergence, and mean fecundity was 970 1 73 (Mean + SE) eggs per female Superparasitism was common but declined with parasitoid age Life table statistics assuming 50% female progeny were calculated. Using total eggs laid (m.), life table statistics (Mean+SE) were gross reproductive rate (GRR) = 51.4 + 3 7. net reproductive rate (R.) = 49.4 +3.8, intrinsic rate of increase (r.) = 0.153 +0.003, and mean generation time (T) = 26.3 + 02 Using only effective eggs laid (m.). (ie, excluding superparasitism), life table statistics were GRR-416 +3.5, R. = 39.4 +3.3, rm -0.142 +0.003, and T = 26.9 +0.3. The usefulness of these values as indices of relative effectiveness of M. aethiopoides against adult H postica are discussed