Influence of temperature on adult longevity, oviposition and fertility of Agasicles hygrophila Selman & Vogt (Coleoptera : Chrysomelidae)

Agasicles hygrophila, a leaf feeding Chrysomelid beetle, was introduced int o New Zealand in 1982 for the biological control of alligator weed, Alterna nthera philoxeroides. Laboratory studies showed that egg laying rate and vi ability were optimal at a constant temperature of 25 degrees C. Adult femal e longevity decreased as the temperature was increased from to 15 degrees C to 30 degrees C. The number of eggs laid and hatched decreased during the last six weeks of adult life for females reared at 20 and 25 degrees C.