Thermal requirement for development of Carpophilus marginellus (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), a potential pollinator of cherimoya and atemoya trees (Magnoliales: Annonaceae)

Abstract

Carpophilus marginellus is a candidate pollinator of the subtropical orchard trees cherimoya and atemoya. We investigated the developmental period and adult size of this species at constant temperatures of 18, 20, 25, and 30°C as basic information for mass rearing and release in greenhouses as a pollinator. The photoperiod was 16-h light/8-h dark at all temperatures. The developmental period was shorter and the adult size was smaller at higher temperatures. Mortality was lowest at 25°C and highest at 30°C. The thermal threshold (developmental zero) ranged from 11.9 (female larvae) to 15.6°C (female pupae) among developmental stages and sexes. The thermal constant (total effective temperature) of the period from egg to adult emergence was ca. 292 degree-days.