Fertility, longevity and intrinsic rate of increase of Aphidius gifuensis Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) on the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Homoptera: Aphididae)

Abstract

Reproductive potentials of an indigenous aphid parasitoid, Aphidius gifuensis, on Myzus persicae were measured in a laboratory at two constant temperatures, 20°C and 25°C. Single female parasitoids produced 529.0 progeny at 20°C and 536.7 at 25°C during their life spans. Longevities were 12.8 days and 12.3 days at 20°C and 25°C, respectively. The number of eggs laid by A. gifuensis peaked on the first days after the emergence at the two temperatures tested, indicating their proovigenic status. Intrinsic rates of natural increase for A. gifuensis were calculated as 0.350 at 20°C and 0.462 at 25°C. These values are higher than those for M. persicae, suggesting a significant character of A. gifuensis that indicates its great potential for use as a biological control agent for M. persicae.