Thermal requirements and developmental limits of the leaf miner Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanch.)

Temperature is a key abiotic factor influencing insect development, survival, and reproduction, thereby shaping population dynamics and pest outbreaks. This study aimed to determine the thermal thresholds and evaluate the effects of temperature on the biology of Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanch.), an important leaf-mining pest of several crops, particularly tomato. Experiments were conducted under controlled conditions at five constant temperatures (17, 22, 28, 30, and 33°C). Developmental time, survival, reproduction, and pupal weight were assessed. Temperature significantly affected all evaluated biological parameters. At 17°C, insects exhibited prolonged developmental periods, including longer larval duration, egg incubation, and pre-oviposition time. In contrast, higher temperatures accelerated development but reduced adult longevity and reproductive periods. Egg viability remained high across temperatures (81–100%), with low variability between 22°C and 33°C. Larval survival increased from 17°C to 28°C, reaching a maximum at 28°C (88.3%), and declined at higher temperatures. Pupal weight was also influenced by temperature, with the highest values at 28°C, indicating more favorable developmental conditions at this temperature range. Female fertility was strongly temperature-dependent, with the highest fecundity recorded at 17°C and 22°C, while temperatures above 28°C drastically reduced egg production. Overall, the results indicate that intermediate temperatures, particularly around 28°C, optimize the development and survival of L. huidobrensis, whereas extreme temperatures negatively affect its biological performance. These findings provide essential parameters for thermal development models and contribute to improving predictive tools for pest management strategies.