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2 November 2006 Longevity and Fecundity of Metamasius quadrilineatus Champion (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) on a Natural Bromeliad Host in the Laboratory
Alonso Suazo, Diego Pú Pacheco, Ronald D. Cave, J. H. Frank
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Abstract

The bromeliad-eating weevil Metamasius quadrilineatus Champion is the native host of the tachinid Lixadmontia franki Wood and Cave, which is being studied as a candidate biological control agent of the Mexican bromeliad weevil, Metamasius callizona (Chevrolat), a pest of native bromeliads in Florida. Information on the reproductive biology of M. quadrilineatus was gathered in order to produce sufficient quantities of the weevil and L. franki for biological and non-target testing studies. Longevity, fecundity, and egg viability of M. quadrilineatus females on Catopsis hahnii (Baker) were studied under laboratory conditions at 21°C temperature, 70% relative humidity, and a 12 ∶ 12 hr light:dark photoperiod. Females lived an average of 17.0 ± 1.3 weeks (range  =  3–29 weeks). Survivorship decreased significantly starting in week 11 and reached 48% in week 19. Females initiated oviposition 3.3 ± 0.2 weeks (mean ± standard error) after emergence. In total, 593 eggs were produced by 30 caged females in a 22-week oviposition period. Most of the egg production (83%) was obtained during weeks 3–13 after emergence. Maximum egg production of 3.3 eggs/female/week was reached at week 8. Average egg viability was 33%. The highest percent egg hatch (77%) was obtained in week 8, followed by weeks 7 and 9 with approximately 67% and 61% viability, respectively. Mean egg length and width were 0.72 ± 0.003 and 0.31 ± 0.002 mm (± standard error, sample size  =  458).

Alonso Suazo, Diego Pú Pacheco, Ronald D. Cave, and J. H. Frank "Longevity and Fecundity of Metamasius quadrilineatus Champion (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) on a Natural Bromeliad Host in the Laboratory," The Coleopterists Bulletin 60(3), 264-270, (2 November 2006). https://doi.org/10.1649/903.1
Received: 2 April 2006; Accepted: 1 July 2006; Published: 2 November 2006
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