Life table and population growth parameters of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri on Dactylopius opuntiae and Phenacoccus solenopsis: insights for biological control.

Autor: Harbi, Ahlem, Abbes, Khaled, Rahmouni, Ridha, Chermiti, Brahim
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Zdroj: Phytoparasitica; Mar2025, Vol. 53 Issue 1, p1-14, 14p
Abstrakt: The prickly pear cochineal, Dactylopius opuntiae Cockerell (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) and the cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) have become invasive pests of cactus and tomato in the Mediterranean region. In prospects for biological control possibilities, we assessed life history and population growth parameters of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on both insects using age-stage two-sex life tables. Results revealed that the preadult development was longer on D. opuntiae (female: 33.41 ± 0.93 days and male: 33.17 ± 3.35 days) than on P. solenopsis (female: 27.85 ± 0.63 days and male: 28.15 ± 0.54 days). The total life cycle was longer on D. opuntiae (female: 85.05 ± 2,15 days and male: 80.78 ± 20 days) than on D. solenopsis (female: 77.85 ± 2.36 days and male: 76.15 ± 1.84 days). Fecundity was significantly higher on the cotton mealybug with 60.1 ± 5.61 eggs/female (18.9 ± 0.85 oviposition days) versus 37.41 ± 2.57 eggs/female on the prickly pear cochineal (12.95 ± 0.45 oviposition days). All life table parameters of the predator were significantly higher when fed on the cotton mealybug with a net reproductive rate (R0) of 30,0 ± 9.6421 offspring/female, an intrinsic rate of increase (r) of 0,0770 ± 0.0042 day−1, a finite rate of increase (λ) of 1,080 ± 0.00512 day−1. Projections of population growth and structure showed that 1.5 generations could be completed on both cochineals over a period of 60 days. The largest adult size of C. montrouzieri was observed when reared on P. solenopsis, reaching approximately 3,000 individuals. These data are important for the development and implementation of biological control and integrated pest management programmes targeting these invasive scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Databáze: Complementary Index
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