Life history parameters during immature stage of Aphidius gifuensis Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) on green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Homoptera: Aphididae)

Abstract

In order to evaluate the efficiency of an indigenous aphid parasitoid Aphidius gifuensis as a biological control agent against Myzus persicae, its oviposition rate, developmental time and survival rate on M. persicae were investigated in the laboratory. The oviposition rate was 84.9% at 25°C, and no aphids in which more than one A. gifuensis progeny were oviposited by one A. gifuensis female were observed. The survival rates and developmental times of immature A. gifuensis were examined at four constant rearing temperatures of 15, 20, 25 and 30°C with a photoperiod of 16L-8D. The survival rates from egg to adult emergence were more than 80% at all temperatures tested. The developmental times decreased with increasing temperatures in both sexes, except that the periods at 30°C were slightly longer than those at 25°C. The lower developmental threshold (T0) and total effective temperature (K) of A. gifuensis were 5.5°C and 188.6 degree-days for the females, and 5.7°C and 181.0 degree-days for the males. The oviposition rate, survival rates and the developmental times were similar to those of commercially produced Aphidius colemani.