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Thermal effects on the egg stage of four sciomyzids with reference to phenology and biocontrol potential
Author(s) -
Mc Donnell R. J.,
Gormally M. J.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of applied entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1439-0418
pISSN - 0931-2048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0418.2006.01109.x
Subject(s) - biology , phenology , biological pest control , cryopreservation , incubation , ecology , zoology , fishery , embryo , biochemistry
With the global economic cost of liver fluke estimated at US$2000 million annually, alternative sustainable control methods need to be considered. One such option is biological control using malacophagous sciomyzids (Dipt.,). The effect of a range of temperatures (14, 17, 20, 23 and 26°C) on the duration of the egg stage of Sepedon spinipes spinipes (Scopoli), Pherbina coryleti (Scopoli), Tetanocera ferruginea Fallén and Psacadina verbekei Rozkošný was assessed using thermostatically controlled waterbaths (16 h light : 8 h dark). In general, for all species, the mean and median egg incubation periods decreased as the temperature increased. Optimum growth temperatures for mass rearing purposes are highlighted for each species. The cryopreservation (−20°C) of newly oviposited eggs for the purpose of long‐term storage was also assessed and possible reasons for the variability in the duration of the egg stage between the species in relation to their phenologies are discussed.