Life history and feeding biology of the predatory thrips, Aleurodothrips fasciapennis (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae)

Abstract

Details of the life history, the effects of relative humidity and temperature on survival and reproduction, and the predatory ability of Aleurodothrips fasciapennis Franklin were examined under laboratory conditions. Stage-specific development and adult longevity were similar between sexes, and the adult sex ratio was 1:1. Females laid 23.3 + 18.0 eggs of which 83% hatched. The survival rate of first instars to adulthood was 82%. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r m ) was 0.04, assuming a zero or 5.4 day pre-oviposition interval. Temperature did not affect the proportion of eggs that hatched, the proportion of first instars surviving to adulthood or adult sex ratios. However, female fecundity was dependent on temperature being highest at 24-28°C. Relative humidity did not affect adult sex ratio or female fecundity but the proportion of eggs hatched and the survival of first instars to adulthood increased as relative humidity increased. Few eggs hatched when relative humidity was <65%. Larval and adult female A. fasciapennis were voracious feeders but the number of prey killed per progeny was high, suggesting A. fasciapennis was inefficient at converting prey into progeny biomass. The potential value of A. fasciapennis as a biocontrol agent of Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell) on Australian citrus is discussed in terms of its r m , prey killing power and environmental adaptability. It is concluded that population growth of A. fasciapennis should exceed that of A. aurantii under field conditions but A. fasciapennis may be of little value against A. aurantii on citrus grown under conditions of high temperature and low humidity, or when prey densities are low. Introductionical regions of the world on a wide range of host plants, many

Apple pollen as a supplemental food for the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis: response of individuals and populations

“…Although supplemental pollen had no effect on population growth, humidity did. Conditions of relatively high humidity are generally beneficial to thrips (Laughlin, 1977; Boissot et al., 1998; Watson et al., 1998; Kakei & Tsuchida, 2000; Wiesenborn, 2000; Chyzik & Ucko, 2002). For F. occidentalis in particular, Shipp & Gillespie (1993), found that larval survival at 33% r.h., which is close to our lower humidity treatment, was reduced compared to that at 75% r.h., which is close to our higher humidity treatment.…”

Thysanoptera as predators: their diversity and significance as biological control agents

“…Some biological characteristics may limit the success of predatory thrips under field conditions. For example, Hoddle 19 and Watson 25,94 suggested that Franklinothrips orizabensis and Aleurodothrips fasciapennis were less effective at controlling low pest densities. Unlike predatory mites, releasing adult thrips may disperse (fly away) from release sites.…”

Entwicklung, Reproduktion und Prädationsleistung von zwei Raubthrips-Arten Aeolothrips intermedius Bagnall und Franklinothrips vespiformis Crawford (Thysanoptera: Aeolothripidae) mit Ernährung zweier natürlicher Beutearten

“…(Thys., Aeolothripidae). Die Untersuchungen zur Fruchtbarkeit und Lebensdauer von A. fasciapennis wurde mit Eiern und beweglichen Stadien der Deckelschildlaus Chrysomphalus aonidum (Linnaeus) (Hom., Coccoidea) und Eiern des Zünslers Corcyra cephalonica Stainton (Lep., Pyralidae) durchgeführt, jedoch konnten die Adulten der Folgegenerationen keine gesunden Eier ablegen (Watson et al 1998(Watson et al , 2000. Ebenso wenig erfolgreich waren Untersuchungen von Hoddle et al (2000), in denen der Großteil der Weibchen von Franklinothrips sp.…”

“…bei Fütterung von Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller) -Eiern (Lep., Pyralidae) keine intakten Eier ablegte. Weiterhin werden in der Literatur auch Aeolothrips intermedius Bagnall und Franklinothrips vespiformis Crawford (Thys., Aeolothripidae) als räuberische Thripse an verschiedenen Schadthrips-Arten und Milben genannt (Bournier et al 1979, Lacasa et al 1982, 1989, Okajima et al 1992, Hirose et al 1993, Böhm 1995 ven bei Fütterung mit Zünsler-Eiern von C. cephalonica das Adultstadium (Watson et al 1998). Nach Untersuchungen von Bournier et al (1978) (Hoddle et al 2002), jedoch wird ihnen eine Regulationsfähigkeit in der biologischen Schädlingsbekämpfung aberkannt (Hoddle et al 2000(Hoddle et al , 2002.…”