Abstract Bitterweed (Parthenium hysterophorus) is a weed of economic concern in locations of invasion and is native to Central and South America. The ragweed leaf beetle (RLB, Ophraella communa) has been reported as a potential biocontrol agent. This study investigated the life history of RLBs on bitterweed under laboratory conditions at three different temperatures (20, 25, and 30°C). The objectives of this study were to identify the favorable temperature for RLBs to develop on bitterweed and to determine effects of temperature on both sexes of the immature stages and adults. The study results revealed that the developmental period decreased with an increase in temperature and that the period exhibited no statistical difference between the sexes at the same temperature. Survival rate per stage was highest at 25°C and lowest at 20°C and decreased with an increase in age. Fecundity was highest at 25°C and lowest at 20°C on bitterweed. These results thus demonstrate that 25°C had the most favorable effects on the life history of the RLBs on bitterweed.
摘要 銀膠菊 (Parthenium hysterophorus) 為一具經濟重要性的入侵種雜草，原產於中、南美洲地區。而豬草金花蟲 (Ophraella communa) 是銀膠菊重要的生物性天敵，本試驗在20、25 和30℃三種不同定溫下豬草金花蟲取食銀膠菊的生長、發育等生活史進行研究，以了解豬草金花蟲取食銀膠菊的最適溫度，並確認不同定溫對豬草金花蟲生長、發育及成蟲壽命及繁殖力的影響。結果顯示，隨著溫度的升高，豬草金花蟲的發育時間逐漸縮短，但相同溫度下、雄間差異不顯著。各齡期的存活率以25oC 時最高，而在20oC 時為最低，且隨年齡的增加而降低；而豬草金花蟲取食銀膠菊於25oC 時產卵量為最高，20oC 時為最低，由試驗結果顯示豬草金花蟲於25oC 時取食銀膠菊對其生活史表現是最適合的。
| Key words: bitterweed, ragweed leaf beetle, immature stages, different sexes, temperature | | 關鍵詞: 銀膠菊、豬草金花蟲、未成熟期、性比、溫度 |
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