Temperature-dependent development and survival of an invasive genotype of wheat curl mite, aceria tosichella

Authors: KARPICKA-IGNATOWSKA, KAMILA - Adam Mickiewicz University; LASKA, ALICIA - Adam Mickiewicz University; Rector, Brian; SKORACKA, ANNA - Adam Mickiewicz University; KUCZYNSKI, LECHOSLAW - Adam Mickiewicz University

Submitted to: Scientific Reports
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/20/2021
Publication Date: 3/4/2021
Citation: Karpicka-Ignatowska, K., Laska, A., Rector, B.G., Skoracka, A., Kuczynski, L. 2021. Temperature-dependent development and survival of an invasive genotype of wheat curl mite, aceria tosichella. Scientific Reports. 83:513–525. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-021-00602-w.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-021-00602-w

Interpretive Summary: Quantifying basic biological data, such as the effects of variable temperatures on development and survival, is crucial to predicting and monitoring population growth rates of pest species, many of which are highly invasive. One of the most globally important pests of cereals is the eriophyoid wheat curl mite, Aceria tosichella, (WCM) which is the primary vector of several plant viruses. The aim of this study was to evaluate temperature-dependent development and survival of WCM at a wide range of constant temperatures in the laboratory (17°C – 33°C). At high temperatures (27 – 33°C), individuals had shorter developmental times, with the shortest (6 days) being at 33°C, while at the lowest tested temperatures (17 – 19°C) developmental time was almost three times longer. Temperature had a clear effect on survival, as well: the higher the temperature, the lower the survival rate. These data provide information promoting more efficient and effective rearing of WCM laboratory colonies and implications for the growth and spread of this globally invasive pest in the field.

Technical Abstract: Quantifying basic biological data, such as the effects of variable temperatures on development and survival, is crucial to predicting and monitoring population growth rates of pest species, many of which are highly invasive. One of the most globally important pests of cereals is the eriophyoid wheat curl mite, Aceria tosichella, (WCM) which is the primary vector of several plant viruses. The aim of this study was to evaluate temperature-dependent development and survival of WCM at a wide range of constant temperatures in the laboratory (17°C – 33°C). The development time of each stage depended significantly on temperature and it was negatively correlated with temperature increase. At high temperatures (27 – 33°C), individuals had shorter developmental times, with the shortest (6 days) at 33°C, while at the lowest tested temperatures (17 – 19°C) developmental time was almost three times longer. Moreover, temperature had a clear effect on survival: the higher the temperature, the lower the survival rate. These data provide information promoting more efficient and effective manipulation of WCM laboratory colonies, while also furthering our understanding of the ramifications of temperature change on WCM physiology and implications for the growth and spread of this globally invasive pest.