Effects of short-term heat stress on the performance of the predatory gall midge Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)

ABSTRACT

Aphidoletes aphidimyza is one of the most important natural enemies of aphids, but its efficiency in aphid control is affected by temperatures. We measured the life history parameters of A. aphidimyza by exposing its different life stages to 35°C for 3, 6, and 12 h. The results showed that the survival rate of eggs, first instar larvae, pupae, and mated males was decreased significantly with the increase of the exposure duration, whereas the survival rate of third instar larvae and adult females was not significant different before and after the exposure. The short-term high temperature stress also significantly decreased the predation of first and second instar larvae, whereas the predation of third instar larvae was not affected. In addition, the heat stress did not affect adult egg production, longevity, and offspring hatching rates, regardless of mating status. These results demonstrated that short periods of heat stress negatively influenced A. aphidimyza development, but the effect was dependent on duration and developmental stage. Therefore, in order to achieve the best predatory efficacy of gall midges against aphid pests, the heat stresses above 35°C should be avoided.

KEYWORDS:

• Aphidoletes aphidimyza
• heat stress
• predation
• reproduction
• biological control

Acknowledgments

We thank the Zunyi Natural Enemy Insect Breeding Centre for providing the experimental conditions used herein, as well as Yi-Chai Chen and Jian-Feng Liu (Guizhou University) for his valuable help in writing this article. We also thank the editor and two anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments on the manuscript. We appreciate Hao-Xi Li (Guizhou University) for language editing and Jing-Jiang Zhou (Guizhou University) for critical editing and proofreading.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the Zunyi Branch Tobacco Company (Project:2020xm05, grant no 2021520300200081; 201608) and the Program of Introducing Talents to Chinese Universities [grant no 111 Program No. D20023], the Introduction of Talents Research Project of Guizhou University [grant no [2016]70], and the Guizhou Province Science and Technology Innovation Talent Team Project (Qian Ke He Pingtai Rencai – CXTD [2021]004).