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Effect of low temperature on emergence, fecundity, longevity and host-feeding by Trichogramma brassicae

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Abstract

The occurrence of sub-optimal temperatures during development of immature parasitoids can have important consequences on adult fitness. We investigated the impact of different regimes of low temperature on emergence, differential mortality, longevity and fecundity in Trichogramma brassicae Bezdenko (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae). The host-feeding behaviour of adult females was also measured as an indicator of energy reserve at emergence. Acclimation of 30 days at 10 °C or 24 days at 13 °C allowed T. brassicae immatures to develop with a lower mortality than those exposed directly at 5 °C. Longevity and fecundity of females decreased at a lower rate with acclimation at 10 °C suggesting that acclimation at 13 °C may have depleted the energy reserves of individuals more than acclimation at 10 °C. Short photoperiod exposure during the maternal generation had no effect on progeny’s fitness. We found no difference among the treatments in females’ host-feeding behaviours, in differential mortality at emergence, in female’s mobility and in F1 sex ratio.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Josiane Vaillancourt, Danielle Thibodeau and Julie Frenette for supplying insect material and for technical assistance. This research was supported in part by a scholarship from Anatis Bioprotection Inc.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Natural Resource Sciences (Entomology), Macdonald Campus of McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, H9X 3V9, Canada

    Emilie Lessard & Guy Boivin

  2. Horticultural Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 430 Boulevard Gouin, St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC, J3B 3E6, Canada

    Guy Boivin

Authors
  1. Emilie Lessard
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  2. Guy Boivin
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Correspondence to Emilie Lessard.

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Handling Editor: Torsten Meiners

This research is part of the MSc project of Emilie Lessart devoted to the study of the impact of biotic and abiotic factors on the fitness and host feeding behavior in Trichogrammatidae. Dr Guy Boivin is studying the behaviorial and evolutionary ecology of egg parasitoids.

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Lessard, E., Boivin, G. Effect of low temperature on emergence, fecundity, longevity and host-feeding by Trichogramma brassicae . BioControl 58, 319–329 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-012-9493-8

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