Temperature driven development of the rice brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae)

Abstract

Temperature driven development of rice brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) population (biotype 4) was examined at seven constant temperatures (15, 18,20, 25, 30, 32 and 35°C). Complete development of BPH from egg to adult was observed at constant temperatures ranging from 15 to 32°C with linear development observed till 30°C. Total immature developmental duration decreased from 74.4 days at 15°C to 22.4 days at 30°C. Linear and non-linear models fitted to describe developmental rates of life stages as a function of temperature, gave estimates of bioclimatic thresholds (lower, optimum and upper temperature thresholds). Thermal constants estimated from Campbell linear model for egg, nymph and cumulative immature development to adult were, 198.8, 275.5 and 473.9 degree days, respectively. Among empirical non-linear models, Lactin 2 model was selected for estimates of upper temperature threshold at 35°C based on higher coefficient of determination. Application of thermodynamic SSI model explained the observed nonlinear relationship of development of BPH life stages at temperatures higher than 30°C. The estimated thermal constants and bioclimatic thresholds were used in developing temperature dependent phenology model based on Campbell equation. Phenology model predicted closely the occurrence of different life stages of BPH with those observed under field conditions.