Development time and survival of Arhopalus syriacus (Reitter) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), a potential pest of Pinus sp. in Argentina

Abstract

Arhopalus syriacus is an exotic longhorn beetle that attacks mainly Pinus and is present in pine forests of Argentina. The objective of this study was to estimate development and survival of A. syriacus at 25 °C on an artificial diet. Developmental time, developmental rates, pupal weights, larval length, and head capsule widths were recorded in laboratory conditions whereas emergency time of adults, sex ratio and female reproduction were studied using pine logs. Larvae pupated after 6, 7, 8 and 9 stadia. Head-capsule width and larval length decreased from the fourth and sixth instar respectively. Female pupae were heavier than male ones and this situation was the same for pupal length. Survival was lower in the first two instars but increased to 100% in all mature larvae and pupae. The maximum abundances of adults from pine logs occurred in November and December. Male adults lived 9.27 ± 0.84 days and female 9.12 ± 1.61 days. Female adults were heavier than males and the number of new larvae per female was 80.65 ± 10.62. The life cycle duration of A. syriacus was 298.86 ± 13.66 days.