The Effects of Temperature on the Development, Morphology, and Fecundity of Aenasius bambawalei (=Aenasius arizonensis)

SIMPLE SUMMARY: During biological invasions, insect pest outbreaks often occur because they escape the control of natural enemies from their place of origin. However, some natural enemies can migrate with pests to effectively inhibit their damage. Whether temperature changes can shorten or enhance the reproductive developmental period of accompanying natural enemies is an important determinant of whether they can effectively migrate with pests. Aenasius bambawalei is a predominant accompanying parasitoid of the important invasive pest Phenacoccus solenopsis. To understand the effect of temperature changes on the development of the reproductive systems of this parasitoid, we compared differences in its development, morphology, and fecundity under different temperatures. The results showed that high temperature could significantly shorten the pupal developmental duration, increase the length of the hind tibia, and accelerate gonad development. Our results indicated that moderately high temperature was conducive to the reproduction and development of the parasitoid and may be related to the more females offspring. This is the first report of the impact of high temperature on the pupal development, morphology, and fecundity of A. bambawalei. ABSTRACT: The effects of high temperature on the developmental, morphological, and fecundity characteristics of insects, including biological invaders and their accompanying natural enemies, are clear. Phenacoccus solenopsis (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) is an aggressive invasive insect pest worldwide. Aenasius bambawalei (=Aenasius arizonensis Girault) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is a predominant accompanying parasitoid of this mealybug. Our previous studies showed that temperature change induced an increase in the female offspring ratio of A. bambawalei. However, whether this increase is the result of a shortened or enhanced development period of the reproductive systems of A. bambawalei remains unknown. Here, we compared the pupal development, hind tibia of female adults, and fecundity of A. bambawalei under different temperatures to clarify the development and morphological changes induced by high temperature and to better understand its potential as an accompanying natural enemy. Our results showed that, at a high temperature (36 °C), the pupal developmental duration of A. bambawalei was only 0.80 times that of the control, and the length of the hind tibia was 1.16 times that of the control. Moreover, high temperature accelerated the developmental rate of gonads and increased the numbers of eggs and sperm. These results indicated that experimental warming shortened the pupal developmental duration, altered the hind tibia length of female adults, and facilitated the fecundity of A. bambawalei. These findings will help to understand the adaptation mechanisms of accompanying natural enemies. Furthermore, these findings will help to make use of this behavior to effectively control invasive pests.