Effects of temperature on reproductive parameters of the psocid Liposcelis rufa (Broadhead)

The effects of seven temperatures on the reproductive parameters of the psocid Liposcelis rufa Broadhead (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae) were investigated at 75% RH. Peak oviposition rates (eggs/female/week) at temperatures of 25, 27.5, 30, 32.5, 35, 37.5, and 40.0°C were 8.2, 10.9, 13.7, 14.7, 15.4, 13.8, and 8.7, respectively. At these temperatures, L. rufa laid 60, 64, 71, 88, 89, 94 and 94%, respectively, of all eggs in the first four weeks. Mean weekly oviposition rate increased with temperature and was highest at 35°C (4.7 eggs/female/week). The longest preoviposition and postoviposition periods were observed at 25°C and were 2.5 d and 42.9 d, respectively. Oviposition period and longevity decreased with increasing temperature - at 25°C, these parameters were 93 and 139 d, respectively, and at 40°C, they were 26 and 36 d, respectively. At 25, 27.5, 30, 32.5, 35, 37.5, and 40°C it took 32, 32, 22, 15, 17, 12, and 9 wk, respectively, for all females to die. Intrinsic rate of population increase increased with temperature until 32.5°C (0.18) and then declined. The temperature-dependent equations that we have developed for preoviposition, postoviposition, and oviposition periods, oviposition rate, fecundity, longevity, and percentage of life spent in oviposition can be used in simulation models to predict L. rufa population dynamics for the development of effective management strategies.