Effects of photoperiod and temperature on adult oligopause of Aphelinus asychis and larval diapause of A. albipodus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae)

Abstract

The effects of photoperiod and temperature on the dormancy of two aphid parasitoids in Japan, Aphelinus asychis and A. albipodus, were studied in the laboratory. Adult (reproductive) dormancy was induced in A. asychis under 10L : 14D at moderate temperatures and under 15L : 9D at low temperatures. Dormant adults started oviposition 6-17 d after emergence under 10L : 14D at 15 and 18°C. Transferring newly emerged adults from 10L : 14D at 15 and 18°C to 15L : 9D at 20°C caused an apparent reversal of dormancy induction within 1-2 d. It was believed that adult dormancy in A. asychis conforms to "oligopause" rather than "diapause" sensu Mansingh (1971). Adults of A. asychis showed an apparent variation in abdominal coloration from yellowish brown to black. The proportion of females with dark abdominal coloration was higher under 10L : 14D than under 15L : 9D and high at lower temperatures. We regarded this polyphenism as a part of the "diapause syndrome" because oligopause and abdominal coloration were controlled by the same environmental factors. Aphelinus albipodus entered diapause as last instar larvae. The critical photoperiod for diapause induction was 11-12 h at 18°C, and diapause was terminated within six weeks by cold treatment (10L : 14D, 5°C).