Effects of Temperature on the Immature Stages of Anastrepha Suspensa (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Abstract

Eggs, larvae, and pupae of Anastrepha suspensa (Loew) were reared at controlled constant temperatures in the laboratory. Eggs failed to hatch below 12@* C or above 33@* C. Mean hatch occurred at 243.4, 106.5, 73.1, and 57.0 hr at 15, 20, 25, and 30@* C, respectively. Pupation was observed at 33@* C indicating the upper thermal death point was above this temperature. Mean pupation occurred at 29.1, 15.7, 8.9, and 7.8 days at 15, 20, 25, and 30@* C, respectively. No emergence was observed at 10 and 12@* C, although pupae were still viable at 12@* C when the experiment was terminated, and no emergence occurred above 32@* C. Mean emergence occurred at 55.5, 25.8, 17.2, and 12.8 days at 15, 20, 25 and 30@* C, respectively. The optimal developmental temperature appeared to be close to 25@* C for all immature stages. Thermal constants for egg, larvae, and pupae were 1129.6 hr-degrees, 152.6 day-degrees, and 251.2 day-degrees, respectively.