Thermal Requirement for Spring Emergence of Potter Wasp Parancistrocerus fulvipes: Implications for Population Management Under Climate Change

Parancistrocerus fulvipes (Saussure) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), a predatory potter wasp, plays a crucial role in ecosystem services by preying on microlepidopteran larvae. This study investigated the effect of the temperature on the spring emergence and survivorship of P. fulvipes. We used seven different temperature regimes ranging from 5 to 38 °C to determine the developmental rate and thermal requirement for the emergence of P. fulvipes at each temperature. The development rates were determined using linear regression and a biophysical model (i.e., the Lactin model). Adult emergence occurred between 22 and 33 °C, and the lower developmental thresholds were 18.5, 17.1, and 17.8 °C for males, females, and both genders combined, respectively. The optimal temperature and upper-temperature threshold for spring emergence were 33 and 38 °C, respectively. The degree-day requirements for adult emergence were 201, 218, and 208 for males, females, and both genders combined. The lowest mortality was observed at 22 °C, while no P. fulvipes emerged at ≤13 °C and ≥38 °C. These findings provide a predictive model for the spring emergence of P. fulvipes, which can optimize ecosystem service programs in various agricultural systems, particularly in the context of climate change and pest management.