DEVELOPMENTAL VARIABILITY AMONG LABORATORY REARED BALSAM WOOLLY APHID (HEMIPTERA: CHERMIDAE)

Abstract

AbstractNeosistentes reared from eggs of the final generation of the year only developed under a regime of fluctuating temperature. Progeny of the first generation the following spring developed under both constant and fluctuating temperature. In addition, the latter group displayed developmental variability that might provide a basis from which distinct ecological races could develop. Those individuals that developed rapidly showed little variability in the time required to complete development. On the other hand, those that developed slowly displayed more variability. There was no evidence of two distinct developmental groups among individuals reared under a regime of temperature cycling between 55°F and 75°F as the entire group developed rapidly; this treatment also produced the lowest mortality.