Life history and feeding biology of the predatory thrips, Aleurodothrips fasciapennis (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae)

• Published in: Bulletin of entomological research 1998-06, Vol.88 (3), p.351-357
• Main Authors: Watson, D.M., Du, T.Y., Li, M., Xiong, J.J., Liu, D.G., Huang, M.D., Rae, D.J., Beattie, G.A.C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ambient temperature; Aonidiella aurantii; Biological and medical sciences; Biological control; biological control agents; biological development; Control; fecundity; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; hatch; life cycle (organisms); longevity; mortality; oviposition; Phlaeothripidae; Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection; population growth; predation; predators; predators of insect pests; Protozoa. Invertebrates; relative humidity; sex ratio
• ISSN: 0007-4853; 1475-2670
• DOI: 10.1017/S0007485300025979

Details of the life history, the effects of relative humidity and temperature on survival and reproduction, and the predatory ability of Aleurodothrips fasciapennis Franklin were examined under laboratory conditions. Stage-specific development and adult longevity were similar between sexes, and the adult sex ratio was 1:1. Females laid 23.3 ± 18.0 eggs of which 83% hatched. The survival rate of first instars to adulthood was 82%. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) was 0.04, assuming a zero or 5.4 day pre-oviposition interval. Temperature did not affect the proportion of eggs that hatched, the proportion of first instars surviving to adulthood or adult sex ratios. However, female fecundity was dependent on temperature being highest at 24 ndash 28°C. Relative humidity did not affect adult sex ratio or female fecundity but the proportion of eggs hatched and the survival of first instars to adulthood increased as relative humidity increased. Few eggs hatched when relative humidity was