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Development and reproductive biology of Laricobius nigrinus, a potential biological control agent of Adelges tsugae

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Abstract

Biological studies on Laricobius nigrinus Fender (Coleoptera: Derodontidae) were conducted in the laboratory to obtain basic information on this littleknown predator. Laricobius nigrinus is acandidate biological control agent of thehemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugaeAnnand (Homoptera: Adelgidae), an exotic peston eastern (Tsuga canadensis (L.)Carrière) and Carolina (T.caroliniana Engelmann) hemlocks in the easternUnited States. It is univoltine andundergoes an aestival diapause. Post-aestivation activity period was 36.6 and30.8 weeks for males and females, respectively. Adult activity and oviposition are wellsynchronized with the over-wintering generationof A. tsugae. Mean lifetime fecunditywas 100.8 eggs over a mean duration of 13.2weeks oviposition period. Within thetemperature range (12–18°C) studied,development was fastest at 18°C. Meandevelopment time from egg to adult was 88.8,64.8 and 46.6 days at 12, 15 and 18°C,respectively. Laricobius nigrinus hasfour larval instars. Mean larval consumptionwas 225.9 and 252.3 A. tsugae eggs at 12and 18°C, respectively. Thesefindings provide essential data on the rate ofdevelopment and feeding capacity of L. nigrinusat temperatures typical of ambientconditions during late winter/early spring inVirginia. Its rapid development at18°C indicates that it has potential asa biological control agent of A. tsugaebecause of its synchrony with the developmentof the over-wintering generation of A. tsugaein eastern United States.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Entomology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA, 24061-0319, USA

    G.M.G. Zilahi-Balogh, S.M. Salom & L.T. Kok

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  1. G.M.G. Zilahi-Balogh
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  2. S.M. Salom
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  3. L.T. Kok
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Zilahi-Balogh, G., Salom, S. & Kok, L. Development and reproductive biology of Laricobius nigrinus, a potential biological control agent of Adelges tsugae . BioControl 48, 293–306 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023613008271

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