Effect of temperature on development and immature survival of Zygogramma bicolorata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) under laboratory conditions

The effect of different constant temperatures (20, 25, 27, 30 and 35°C) on life history stages of the Mexican chrysomelid beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister, fed on the weed Parthenium hysterophorus Linnaeus was investigated to analyse the development and survival of different life stages and the adult sex ratio. Fastest development and maximum survival were recorded at 27°C. The first instar was the most vulnerable, while the pupa was least vulnerable. For complete development, the lower temperature threshold (t°C) was 18.5°C and the thermal constant (K) was 480.8 day-degrees. A higher percentage of females was obtained at all temperatures; however, this was unaffected by the temperature regime. This study established that the percentage life span spent by immature stages was similar across all five temperatures, indicating developmental rate isomorphy. 27°C was the most suitable temperature under controlled abiotic conditions for the propagation of Z. bicolorata, a bioagent for parthenium weed. © ICIPE 2008.