Influence of some temperature regimes on biological performance of Telenomus busseolae Gahan. [Hymenoptera: Scelionidae]

ABSTRACT

The life cycle of the egg parasitoid Telenomus busseolae was studied under control condition, in order to determine the optimum requirement for mass rearing of this species. The developmental periods of the parasitoid was greatly influenced by temperature. The longest life span [43 days] was recorded at 18°C while the shortest one was 12 days at 32°C. The optimum temperature for the development of this parasitoid ranged between 23-27°C. The highest parasitism percent was 96.6% recorded at 26 +/- 1°C. The upper developmental threshold was 35.4 °C and the lower was 12.8 °C. Results indicated that the preoviposition period was very short [few hours]. Females laid most of its eggs [87%] during the first two days of its life span. The average of egg laying period was about 18 days. Female laid an average of 125 eggs [90-131] during its life span. Postoviposition period averaged about two days and the mean period of oviposition and longevity for female were 11 and 17 days respectively. The sex ratio ranged between 11.5 to 14.23 male female