Temperature-Dependent Development, Cold Tolerance, and Potential Distribution of Cricotopus lebetis (Diptera: Chironomidae), a Tip Miner of Hydrilla verticillata (Hydrocharitaceae)

Abstract

A chironomid midge, Cricotopus lebetis (Sublette) (Diptera: Chironomidae), was discovered attacking the apical meristems of Hydrilla verticillata (L.f. Royle) in Crystal River, Citrus Co., Florida in 1992. The larvae mine the stems of H. verticillata and cause basal branching and stunting of the plant. Temperature-dependent development, cold tolerance, and the potential distribution of the midge were investigated. The results of the temperature-dependent development study showed that optimal temperatures for larval development were between 20 and 30°C, and these data were used to construct a map of the potential number of generations per year of C. lebetis in Florida. Data from the cold tolerance study, in conjunction with historical weather data, were used to generate a predicted distribution of C. lebetis in the United States. A distribution was also predicted using an ecological niche modeling approach by characterizing the climate at locations where C. lebetis is known to occur and then finding other locations with similar climate. The distributions predicted using the two modeling approaches were not significantly different and suggested that much of the southeastern United States was climatically suitable for C. lebetis .

Combining correlative and mechanistic niche models with human activity data to elucidate the invasive potential of a sub‐Antarctic insect

“…These data suggest that the species has a narrow thermal range for survival and even more so for development. Chironomids generally have a developmental rate positively correlated with temperature with the physiological response being shaped by a hyperbolic curve within optimal temperature boundaries (Stratman et al, ). This was also consistently reported by Convey () for the case of E. murphyi eggs.…”

Adult cold tolerance and potential North American distribution of Myllocerus undecimpustulatus undatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

“…The model employs parameters from climatic variables, such as rainfall and temperature, where a species currently exists to predict the possibility of the species survival in other areas that share similar climatic conditions (Guisan and Zimmermann 2000;Araújo and Peterson 2012). Species distribution models apply geographic information systems (GIS), along with computer software packages and climate databases, to predict a species' spread (Elith and Leathwick 2009;Franklin 2010;Stratman et al 2014). These models have been used to predict the geographical distribution of adventive species, biological control agents, and crop pests into other regions (e.g., Lapointe et al 2007;Tognelli et al 2009;Stratman et al 2014).…”

Cricotopus lebetis Intraspecific Competition and Damage to Hydrilla

“…Since its discovery, C. lebetis has been evaluated for its potential as an augmentative biological control agent for hydrilla . Previous studies have focused on biology and impact (Cuda et al 2002(Cuda et al , 2011, host range and searching behavior (Stratman et al 2013b), distribution based on temperature (Stratman et al 2014), colony rearing techniques (Cuda et al 2002;Stratman et al 2014;Baniszewski et al 2015Baniszewski et al , 2016Mitchell et al 2018), and its compatibility with chemical control .…”

“…For a colony to be considered productive there should be maximal output (i.e., organisms for release) with minimal input (i.e., labor and costs). Research to date has established techniques for rearing, and has conducted life table analysis (Cuda et al 2002), determined the effects of temperature on eggs and larvae (Stratman et al 2014;Baniszewski et al 2015), tested tools to reduce pest problems , and proven the importance of timing in releases (Mitchell et al 2018). Although these efforts have improved the productivity of the colony, further research is needed on ecological interactions, such as intraspecific and interspecific competition.…”