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An investigation into the reproductive characteristics ofMicroctonus hyperodae (Hym.: braconidae), a parasitoid ofListronotus bonariensis (Col.: Curculionidae)

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Abstract

The reproductive tract of the parasitoidMicroctonus hyperodae was found to comprise 6.1±0.2 ovarioles containing a total of 40–60 oöcytes. After oviposition into its hostListronotus bonariensis, the parasitoid's egg volume increased by 205 times prior to hatching. At 19.1°C ovipositingM. hyperodae survived for a mean 21±4 days and laid a mean of 48±8 eggs.M. hyperodae collected from Colonia, Uruguay laid a mean of 62±15 eggs which was significantly more than the other ecotypes. Under caging conditions with an ample supply of hosts,M. hyperodae laid 51% of its eggs in the first 72 hours and on average 41% of the species' life-span occurred after the exhaustion of its egg supply. Minimum temperature forM. hyperodae oviposition was found to be c. 5°C; beyond this the rate of increase in egg-laying was approximately linear until 30°C whereafter the rate fell abruptly. There was effectively no egg-laying at 39°C. The parasitoid showed no preference for one host sex or the other either in the laboratory or under field conditions. Compared to otherMicroctonus spp.,M. hyperodae appeared to show low fecundity and high longevity. The adaptive implications of this are discussed.

Résumé

Le système reproducteur du parasitoïdeMicroctonus hyperodae est composé de 6.1±0,2 ovarioles qui contiennent de 40 à 60 ovocytes. Entre la ponte dans l'hôteListronotus bonariensis et l'éclosion, le volume de l'œuf du parasitoïde est multiplié par 205. A 19,1°C, la longévitéM. hyperodae en présence d'hôtes est en moyenne de 21±4 jours et la fécondité moyenne de 48±8 œufs. Une souche deM. hyperodae récoltée en Colonie, Uruguay, a présenté une fécondité moyenne de 62±15 œufs, significativement supérieure à celle des autres souches. En cage et en présence d'une importante quantité d'hôtes,M. hyperodae pond 51% de ses œufs au cours des premières 72 heures et en moyenne 41% de la durée de vie de l'espèce a lieu après l'épuisement de sa réserve d'œufs. La température minimale pour l'oviposition deM. hyperodae est de 5°C. Au-delà de ce seuil, le taux d'accroissement du nombre d'œufs pondus est approximativement linéaire jusqu'à 30°C puis ce taux baisse soudainement. A 39°C, il n'y a presque plus de ponte. Le parasitoïde ne montre pas de préférence entre les hôtes mâles et femelles, ni au laboratoire ni en conditions de terrain. En comparaison avec d'autresMicroctonus spp.,M. hyperodae paraît avoir une fécondité basse et une longévité élevée. Les implications adaptives sont examinées.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. AgResearch, Canterbury Agriculture and Science Centre, PO Box 60, Lincoln, New Zealand

    S. L. Goldson, M. R. McNeill & J. R. Proffitt

  2. Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, 16802-1003, University Park, PA, USA

    A. A. Hower

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  1. S. L. Goldson
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  2. M. R. McNeill
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  3. J. R. Proffitt
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  4. A. A. Hower
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Goldson, S.L., McNeill, M.R., Proffitt, J.R. et al. An investigation into the reproductive characteristics ofMicroctonus hyperodae (Hym.: braconidae), a parasitoid ofListronotus bonariensis (Col.: Curculionidae) . Entomophaga 40, 413–426 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02373729

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