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Life cycle of Harmonia axyridis in central Europe

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Abstract

The development and reproduction, and maximum number of generations across seasons were ascertained for populations of Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Central Europe. Number of generations was calculated using the thermal characteristics of development and summation of daily average air temperatures, in 2007–2016. This species can produce 2–3 generations per year. However, there is insufficient time for it to achieve its full reproductive potential. Delayed emigration from hibernacula (late April) shortened the period of seasonal activity by 1–6%. Breeding occurred from May to mid September. Oviposition continued into late summer, which left insufficient time for the late-hatching immatures to complete their development before the onset of winter. A high mobility, opportunistic use of prey patches and weak tendency to enter dormancy provide the potential for population increase by extending the period of development of immatures at the risk of failure if the cold period comes early.

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Acknowledgements

A.H., Z.M. and J.S. were supported by Grant No. 17-06763S of the Czech Science Foundation and grant from the Czech Ministry of Agriculture (Mze ČR) RO0416, M.B. by the long-term strategic development financing of the Institute of Computer Science (Czech Republic RVO 67985807), A.F.G.D. by Grant No. CZ.1.05/1.1.00/02.0073 of the Ministry of Education of the Czech Republic, HER by the Natural Environment Research Council in partnership with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and COST Action TD1209 ALIEN Challenge. We thank Mrs. Jana Kohoutová and Mrs. Helena Uhlířová for excellent technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Crop Research Institute, Drnovská 507, 161 06, Prague 6, Ruzynĕ, Czech Republic

    A. Honek, Z. Martinkova & J. Skuhrovec

  2. School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK

    A. F. G. Dixon

  3. Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 8BB, UK

    H. E. Roy

  4. Department of Nonlinear Modeling, Institute of Computer Science AS CR, Prague, Czech Republic

    M. Brabec

  5. Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic

    S. Pekar

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  1. A. Honek
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Correspondence to J. Skuhrovec.

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Honek, A., Martinkova, Z., Dixon, A.F.G. et al. Life cycle of Harmonia axyridis in central Europe. BioControl 63, 241–252 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-017-9864-2

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