Ovipositional Rate, Fecundity, and Longevity of Bathyplectes anurus 1 , a Parasite of the Alfalfa Weevil 23

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The ovipositional rate, fecundity, and longevity of B. anurus in H. postica larvae was determined under constant 70°F (21.1°C) and fluctuating 44°/65°F (6.7°/18.3°C) temperatures, while a 12:12 h photophase:scotophase was maintained under both temperature regimes. The daily ovipositional rate was higher at a constant 70°F, but the mean fecundities per female of 1022.8 eggs at 70°F constant and 865.2 eggs at 44°/65°F were not significantly different (P > .10). The lower daily ovipositional rates under the fluctuating temperatures were offset by increased longevity under the same conditions. The mean longevity of 35.1 days at 44°/65°F was Significantly greater than the 22.1 days observed at constant 70°F. Analysis of the distribution pattern of the eggs among the host larvae showed that more than 50% of the data sets conformed to the Poisson distribution, while 99.2% of the remaining cases indicated a uniform dispersion pattern.