The effect of photoperiod and chilling on the termination of diapause in Lochmaea suturalis (Thomson), (Coleoptera: chrysomelidae): A biological control agent of heather, Calluna vulgaris (L.): A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Horticultural Science with Honours in the University of Lincoln

Abstract

This investigation was conducted to investigate the factors or combination of factors which influence the termination of diapause and reproduction in Lochmaea suturalis, commonly known as the heather beetle. The basic problem under initial investigation was that the adult beetles enter reproductive diapause for several months soon after eclosion from the pupae. If this diapause could be artificially terminated under laboratory conditions, the life cycle could be shortened, perhaps allowing the production of more than one generation per year. This would be useful for a breeding programme, being developed by Landcare Research New Zealand Limited, to use heather beetles for the biological control of heather, Calluna vulgaris, in the central North Island.