Effect of daily temperatural fluctuation on population fitness of Ophraella communa in early spring in Langfang, Heibei Province

Ophraella communa LeSage (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) was accidentally introduced in China, and it is a biological control agent of common ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. (Asterales: Asteraceae). Life history and life table parameters of O. communa were studied in the open field of Langfang city, Hebei province, north China (39°30′42″N, 116°36′07″E) in early spring. Development durations for egg, larva, pupa and entire immature stage of O. communa were 13.6, 21.1, 7.9 and 42.8 d, respectively. Adults could survive in 37.41 d, no differences in the longevities between female and male, and fecundity was 713.1 eggs per female. The intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), net reproductive rate (R0), and mean generation time (T) were 0.0660 d− 1, 1.0683 d− 1, 73.9 offspring/individual and 63.0 d, respectively. The results of our study can offer valuable insight on the population demography of O. communa in early spring in the field. In addition, the effects of temperature fluctuation on the development, survival and fecundity of O. communa and the potential of using the beetle for controlling A. artemisiifolia are also discussed in the early spring.