Effect of Temperature on Late Immature Stages of Culicoides brevitarsis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

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Abstract
Fourth-instar larvae of the biting midge, Culicoides brevitarsis Kieffer, were reared to adult in agar medium at temperatures of 20, 26, 30.5, 33, 35.5, 38 and 40°C. Optimum (>80%) survival to adult occurred from 26 to 33°C. Temperatures outside this range disrupted development. Above 35.5°C, all immatures died before completing development. Duration of development from fourth instar to adult was shortest at 30.5°C (4.3 d). The estimated duration of development from egg to adult at 26–33°C was 11–13 d. The increased mortality of immature stages at temperatures >33°C may be significant in the reduction of adult populations during summer in inland areas of the northern Australian tropics, where mean monthly maxima exceed 35°C from October until February.

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