Effects of sub-lethal cold stress on the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis.

摘要

In laboratory studies, acute and chronic cold exposure regimes were imposed on first-instar larvae and adults of Frankliniella occidentalis, after which the longevity, development and reproductive capacity of the survivors was monitored and comparedto those of non-stressed individuals. Surviving cold exposure did not affect the subsequent survival of immature or adult insects, though cold treated larvae took approximately two days longer to reach adulthood than untreated individuals (at 20鳦 and LD18:6). Chill treatment of adult females significantly reduced their rate of reproduction (from 1.45 to 0.93 larvae day-1), reproductive lifespan (from 13.3 to 9.2 days) and as a result, total reproductive output (from 20.4 to 10.8 larvae), compared to control (untreated) females. Acute exposure resulted in non-significant decreases of the same parameters. The relevance of the above effects to the overwintering of F. occidentalis is discussed.