Modelling the combined effects of photoperiod and temperature on diapause induction in Apolygus lucorum (Meyer‐Dür) across different latitudes

Abstract

BACKGROUND The green mirid bug Apolygus lucorum is one of the dominant pest species on multiple crops over a wide area in northern China. However, the combined effects of photoperiod and temperature on diapause induction of this species through different latitudes is not clear. Thus, the combined effects of temperature of 17 to 29 °C and photoperiod of L11:D13 to L15:D9 on diapause induction for seven geographic populations, collected from locations with latitude varied between 30.47°N and 38.30°N, were investigated. RESULTS A model I = (15 ‐ p) / (30 – p ‐ 1.923(t – 16)^1/2 + 0.4499 t – 0.015 L – 19.5389) was established to predict diapause incidence I with photophase p, temperature t and latitude L. In most cases, the diapause incidences predicted by the model fit into or close to the 95% confidence interval estimated from independently observed field data. CONCLUSION The diapause incidence of A. lucorum was influenced nonlinearly by temperature and photoperiod through different latitudes, and the model established in the present study is valid to predict diapause incidence of this pest over a wide area in northern China, thus it can be incorporated into an areawide population dynamic model of this pest.