Effects of temperature and host on the development of Lysiphlebus testaceipes

The soybean aphid, Aphis glycines, is an important pest of soybeans. This exotic aphid is attacked by a variety of natural enemies in Wisconsin. One of the natural enemies of soybean aphid in Wisconsin is the native parasitoid wasp Lysiphlebus testaceipes. This parasitoid oviposits in a living aphid, and the immature wasp completes its development inside the aphid. Lysiphlebus testaceipes attacks a wide range of aphid species. This study seeks to understand the effects of temperature and host species on duration of parasitoid development, success rate of adult parasitoid emergence from aphid mummies, and sex ratio for Lysiphlebus testaceipes. Parasitoids were reared at constant temperatures of 10,15,20,25, or 30 degrees Celsius. Time from oviposition to mummification and from mummification to adult emergence was recorded, as well as the sex ratio of adult parasitoids produced. This work may have implications for the seasonal activity of Lysiphlebus testaceipes.