Effect of photoperiod and temperature on the induction of diapause in a Japanese strain of Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)

• Published in: Applied entomology and zoology Vol. 47; no. 1; pp. 17 - 26
• Main Authors: Yamane, Masafumi, Yano, Eizi, Matsumoto, Yoshitaka, Yoshioka, Seisuke, Kawai, Takanori, Toyonishi, Hiroaki, Nakamura, Takafumi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan Springer Japan 01.02.2012
• Subjects: Agriculture; Aphididae; Aphidoletes aphidimyza; Applied Ecology; Biological control; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Cecidomyiidae; Diapause; Diapause induction; Diptera; Eggs; Entomology; Environmental Management; Greenhouses; Life Sciences; Natural enemies; Original Research Paper; Photoperiods; Plant Pathology; Temperature effects; Zoology; Photoperiodic response; Diapause; Sensitive stage; Temperature response
• ISSN: 0003-6862; 1347-605X
• DOI: 10.1007/s13355-011-0084-4

The aphidophagous gall midge Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Rondani) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), a dominant natural enemy of aphids, has been used as a biological control agent in many countries to control aphids in greenhouses. As developmental arrest in diapause lowers the effectiveness of natural enemies, we studied the effect of photoperiod and temperature on the incidence of diapause in a Japanese strain of A. aphidimyza by examining diapause induction under different day-length conditions in the laboratory. The critical day length for diapause induction was determined to be 12.7 h at 20°C. Diapause incidence was completely prevented at 30°C even though the photoperiod used was 11L13D. We also examined diapause induction under changing temperature conditions while maintaining the critical day length (12.7L11.3D). Diapause incidence was 100% in both field and greenhouse conditions under alternating temperatures of 20/16 or 25/16°C while the critical day length of 12.7 h was maintained. The Japanese strain of A. aphidimyza was sensitive to diapause entry from the first to the third noncocooned instar larval stages. Its eggs do not seem to be sensitive to diapause induction. Our results suggest that constant short-day conditions for at least four days are needed to induce diapause in the Japanese strain of A. aphidimyza .