Temperature dependent survival and fecundity of Lepidelphax pistiae Remes Lenicov (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), a potential biological control agent of Pistia stratiotes L. (Araceae)

ABSTRACT

Lepidelphax pistiae Remes Lenicov (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) is monophagous on Pistia stratiotes L. (Araceae), an invasive floating plant in Florida. Temperature studies were conducted to determine the optimal temperature for development and reproduction for this potential biological control agent. Egg development time decreased as temperature increased from 17°C to 30°C. No eggs developed and no nymphs survived at 15°C. Adult females survived the longest at 15°C, indicating that they might be more resilient to cold temperatures. Optimal temperature for nymph development was 25°C with 29% surviving to adulthood in 18.2 ± 0.4 days.

KEYWORDS:

• Delphacid
• planthopper
• insect development
• reproductive rate

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Yuichi Shinno at the Invasive Plant Research Laboratory for his assistance with the experiment. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

Ashley B. C. Goode http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6515-3954