Life History Parameters of the Invasive Cotton Mealybug <i>Phenacoccus solenopsis</i> on Tomato at Four Constant Temperatures
The cotton mealybug, <i>Phenacoccus solenopsis</i> Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is an invasive polyphagous pest that has been reported in several tomato-producing Mediterranean countries. However, information regarding the impact of temperature variations on its potential damage...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Insects |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/1/16 |
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| Summary: | The cotton mealybug, <i>Phenacoccus solenopsis</i> Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is an invasive polyphagous pest that has been reported in several tomato-producing Mediterranean countries. However, information regarding the impact of temperature variations on its potential damage and population dynamics on this crop is limited. The effect of four temperatures (20 ± 1 °C, 25 ± 1 °C, 30 ± 1 °C and 35 ± 1 °C) on the development, reproduction, and population growth parameters of <i>P. solenopsis</i> on tomatoes under controlled laboratory conditions was investigated using age-stage two-sex life tables. The increase in temperature caused a significant decrease in the developmental periods of all instars except eggs. The shortest durations of the life cycle (29.58 ± 0.28 days for females and 13.91 ± 0.25 days for males), the adult preoviposition period (APOP), and the total preoviposition period (TPOP) (APOP: 7.78 ± 0.09 days and TPOP: 18.33 ± 0.13 days) were obtained at 35 ± 1 °C. Fecundity varied with temperature, and the highest value was recorded at 30 ± 1 °C (183.29 ± 7.13 eggs/female). The highest average net reproduction rate (<i>R</i><sub>0</sub>) (154.24 ± 14.681 offspring/female), intrinsic rate of increase (<i>r</i>) (0.222 ± 0.0036 d<sup>−1</sup>), and finite rate of increase (<i>λ</i>) (1.248 ± 0.00495 d<sup>−1</sup>) were observed at 35 ± 1 °C. A simulation of population increase and structure under different temperatures over a period of 90 days revealed that the greatest expected population size was at 35 ± 1 °C, with the completion of four overlapping generations. The data from this study provide valuable information for adapted pest management approaches against <i>P. solenopsis</i> on tomato crops. |
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| ISSN: | 2075-4450 |