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Chinese Journal of Biological Control ›› 2022, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (1): 29-41.DOI: 10.16409/j.cnki.2095-039x.2021.03.009

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Occurrence of Cicadella viridis and the Biology of Its Egg Parasitoids in Xinjiang

ZHAO Qian1,2, LIN Siyu1, ZHULIDEZI Aishan1,2, ZHONG Wen1,2, HU Hongying1,2   

  1. 1. College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China;
    2. Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, Urumqi 830046, China
  • Received:2020-12-10 Online:2022-02-08 Published:2022-03-01

Abstract: Cicadella viridis (Linnaeus, 1758) (Hemiptera:Cicadellidae) is an insect pest with wide host range and attacks various crops including maize Zea mays L.. As important biocontrol agents, parasitoids usually provide efficient natural control of insect pests. This study aimed to clarify the occurrence of C. viridis as well as the biological characteristics of its egg parasitoids in Xinjiang, which may provide basic information that can benefit the conservation of native parasitic natural enemies and the biological control of C. viridis via mass-rearing and release of parasitoids. During 2014-2015, the life history of C. viridis was investigated in Manas National Wetland Park. C. viridis had two generations annually and overwintered as eggs in this region. Two egg parasitoid species of C. viridis were identified, Paracentrobia exilimaculata Hu & Lin was a worldwide first report parasitizing C. viridis and Gonatocerus longicornis Nees was a first report in China. The natural parasitism rate by the dominant egg parasitoid G. longicornis peaked in early September (74.96%) and averaged 49.70%. The eclosion rate and the sex ratio increased and then decreased with the increase of temperature from 15℃ to 40℃. The immature stage (from egg to adult emergence) took 9 to 16 days, averaging 14. 25 days. The lifespan of adult wasps fed with 15% honey solution ranged from 6 to12 days (Female:9.38 d; Male:8.50 d), and the females lived 1-2 days longer than the males. The optimal rearing conditions for G. longicornis were 30℃, 45% RH and photoperiod 14L:10D, and these conditions favored its parasitization of C. viridis. The parasitoid has high potential for the biological control against C. viridis.

Key words: Cicadella viridis, Gonatocerus longicornis, Paracentrobia exilimaculata, parasitism rate, eclosion rate, sex ratio

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