فهرست مطالب parviz shishehbor

Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) is one of the invasive pests of crops worldwide, and several studies have focused to compare the growth, consumption, and digestion of H. armigera larvae on different plants. However, studies evaluating the insect’s food consumption and digestive physiological response using biochemical profile of sunflower cultivars are scarce. In this research, the impacts of various sunflower cultivars (Golsa, Ghasem, Shams, and Zarrin) based on artificial diet were evaluated on enzymes activity and nutritional responses of H. armigera. Among the different sunflower cultivars, the relative growth rate (RGR), efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI), and efficiency of conversion of digested food (ECD) were highest on Ghasem. Likewise, the heaviest weight of larvae and pupae was obtained on Ghasem, while the lightest was found on Zarrin. The highest proteolytic activity was detected on Zarrin, whereas the highest amylolytic activities were found on Ghasem and Shams. In addition, ECD and RGR values of H. armigera larvae were negatively correlated with secondary metabolites content (phenol). The cluster analysis revealed that Ghasem was a nutritionally appropriate cultivar for H. armigera, while Zarrin illustrated the greatest level of tolerance against this polyphagous pest. These results could be useful in selection of sunflower cultivars for cultivation and breeding programs that entail H. armigera control.

The mating behavior of the predatory mite Euseius scutalis (Athias-Henriot) (Acari:Phytoseidae) was studied under laboratory conditions at a constant temperature of 25 ± 1 ºC, 60 ± 5% relative humidity and photoperiod of 16: 8 h (L: D). Twenty pairs of newly emerged virgin females and unmated males were kept separately on plastic discs in Petri dishes (9 cm diameter) and their mating behavior was observed continuously under a stereomicroscope using cold light. During mating behavior four phases were recognized. The mean time until the first contact of female and male individuals was approximately 14.4 ± 3.25 minutes (Phase 1). After the first contact the mite male moved to the top of female's dorsum and stayed there for a short time and later moved to the underneath of her in mating position (venter-to-venter position). The mean time needed for this phase was 0.17 ± 0.01 minutes (Phase 2). Then the female walked for mean of 1.09 ± 0.03 minutes in venter-to-venter position (Phase 3). Subsequently the female mite remained still in the mating position for mean of 16.8 ± 0.78 minutes during which probably the sperm transferred from male to female (Phase 4). In addition our results indicated that no changes were observed in the spermathecae of virgin females; after mating most of the females had one spermatophore in one spermatheca while in few of tested females one spermatophore was found in both spermathecae.

Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot has attracted substantial attention as a biological control agent. The life history traits, and functional and numerical responses of A. swirskii fed on Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) was studied under laboratory conditions (25±1°C, 60±5% RH and 16 L: 8D). Predatory mite was able to feed and complete its development on both B. tabaci eggs and 1st instar nymphs. Total preadult developmental period of female A. swirskii fed on eggs and 1st instar nymphs of B. tabaci were 5.62 and 5.12 days, respectively. Sex ratio (female percentage) of A. swirskii feeding on above diets were 70 and 72 %, respectively. Female longevity of A. swirskii fed on above mentioned diets were 25.27 and 26.97 days, respectively, and total fecundity were 47.20 and 41.70 eggs, respectively. Intrinsic rate of increase (rm) of A. swirskii fed on above mentioned diets were 0.2040 and 0.1863 day-1, respectively. A type II functional response for feeding A. swirski on different densities (5, 10, 20, 30, 45, and 60) of B. tabaci eggs was determined. The highest mean number of preys fed by a single female A. swirskii were 38.50 and 34.70 eggs which were recorded at densities of 60 and 45 preys, respectively, with no significant difference. Searching efficiency (a) and handling times (Th) of the female mites were estimated as 0.1056 h-1 and 0.3534 h, according to nonlinear least-square regression. The maximum theoretical predations (T/Th) for female mites was 67.91 eggs/day. The reproductive numerical response, in terms of eggs laid, showed no significant difference with increasing prey density. There was also no significant difference between longevity of female mite in different densities of B. tabaci eggs. Overall, the results of the present study indicated that A. swirskii has a good potential to control B. tabaci. Therefore, further glasshouse and field research is warranted.

Mites of the families Parasitidae and Laelapidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) are among the most common and widely distributed mites of the suborder Gamasina. During 2015-2017, fauna of parasitid and laelapid (Acari: Mesostigmata) mites from domestic animal manure collected and surveyed in Khuzestan Province, southwestern Iran.Totally, four Parasitidae species belonging to three genera and seven Laelapidae species belonging to four genera collected from domestic animal manure in Khuzestan Province. Among them, Cornigamasus ocliferius Skorupski & Witaliński, 1997 is a new record for mite fauna of Asia and Androlaelaps projecta Furman, 1972 is a new name for mite fauna of Iran. Four species are new to Khuzestan Province fauna as well. We also recorded six manure-associated species which have never been previously reported from manure in Iran. Parasitus fimetorum (Berlese, 1904) was the most frequent Parasitidae species among our records. The mites distribution and habitats data in Khuzestan Province are provided for all of the species, together with some taxonomic and bio-ecological notes.

​Trichogramma evanescens Westwood is an important biological control agent of lepidopteran pests and is widely distributed throughout Iran and neighboring countries. Laboratory studies were conducted to determine the influence of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller eggs age on the number of parasitized eggs, development time, sex ratio, progeny longevity and fecundity. Understanding this influence is important for developing biological control programs. Mated female parasitoids (24 h age) were provided with 1, 2, 3, and 4-days-old E. kuehniella eggs in no-choice experiments, individually. T. evanescens developed on E. kuehniella eggs of all ages tested, while showing a better adaptation to younger host eggs with significantly faster developmental time, higher survival and more female progeny on 1-day-old eggs. Progeny emerged from 1-day-old eggs had also higher longevity and fecundity than those emerging from other host ages tested. The intrinsic rate of increase (r) values of T. evanescens reared on 1, 2, 3 and 4-days-old E. kuehniella eggs were 0.345, 0.322, 0.281 and 0.233 day-1 and the mean generation time (T) was 12.19, 12.13, 12.01 and 11.82 days, respectively. The current study provides useful information to use suitable host age of E. kuehniella for mass production of T. evanescens.

Trichogramma evanescens Westwood is one of the most important biological control agents of lepidopteran pests. This parasitoid is widely distributed throughout Iran. Present study was conducted to assay influence of the age of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller egg on the number of parasitized eggs, developmental time, sex ratio, progeny longevity and fecundity of T. evanescens. Individual mated female parasitoids (E. kuehniella in no-choice experiments. Mean number of parasitized eggs were 32.40 ± 0.04, 29.80 ± 0.05, 26.93 ± 0.16, 23.83 ± 0.06 and 18.91 ± 0.04, respectively. The obtained results showed that different egg ages had a significant effect on the developmental time, sex ratio, progeny longevity and fecundity of the parasitoid wasp. Data analysis demonstrated significant decreasing of net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ) with increasing the age of eggs. The highest values for r and λ were 0.390 ± 0.006 day-1 and 1.47 ± 0.008 days, respectively in the eggs with 12h egg. The results of the current study indicated that the egg age is one of the most important factors on life table parameters of T. evanescens and the eggs of E. kuehniella with 12h age are the most suitable eggs for development, reproduction and mass rearing of T. evanescens.

Two-spotted spider mite (TSSM), Tetranychus urticae Koch is an important pest of peach in Iran. This study was conducted to estimate the resistance of five peach cultivars (Redtap, G.H.Hale, Kardi, Elberta and Springtimes). Resistance of different cultivars to this pest was evaluated at 27 ± 1°C, 50 ± 10 %RH and 12 L: 12 D h., using leaf disk bioassay with introducing five adult female mites on leaf disk and counting number of eggs, mite mortality and host damage. Moreover, trichomes density on upper and underside of the leaves, concentration of phenolic compounds and percentage of leaf nutrients were measured. The results showed that the highest plant damage was on G.H.Hale and Kardi cultivars, and the lowest on Elberta, Redtap and Springtimes. The findings also indicated that the density of trichomes on upper and underside of the leaves was not significantly different among cultivars. Therefore, this parameter has no role in resistance to TSSM. Furthermore, there was no relationship between concentration of phenolic compounds and resistance to TSSM. Altogether results revealed that Redtap, Elberta and Springtimes were the most tolerant, whereas G.H.Hale and Kardi were the most susceptible cultivars and nutrient imbalance especially potassium is probably main factor of the resistance against TSSM.

Following sugarcane production extension in Khuzestan province, some pests appeared in sugarcane fields and sugarcane stem borers, Sesamia spp. were the most important among them. Development, reproduction and life table parameters of the parasitoid wasp, Telenomus busseolae Gahan on the sugarcane stem borer Sesamia cretica Lederer were studied at five constant temperatures (20, 25, 28, 30 and 35±1°C, 60±5% RH and a photoperiod of 16L:8D h.). The duration of pre-adult stage decreased with increasing temperature from 26.67 days at 20°C to 10.25 days at 35°C. The oviposition period was 4.16, 4.6, 4.99, 4.04 and 3.31 days at 20, 25, 28, 30 and 35°C, respectively, with females laying an average of 56.37, 65.45, 98.59, 57.44 and 33.86 eggs, respectively, at these five temperatures. Life table data were analyzed using an age-stage, two-sex life table method. The intrinsic rate of increase (r=0.262 day-1), finite rate of increase (λ=1.3 day-1) and net reproductive rate (R0=49.28 offspring/individual) were greatest at 28°C. The shortest mean generation time (T=12.17 day) was recorded at 35°C. The results of the current study indicated that temperature is one of the most important factors on life table parameters of T. busseolae. Also the optimum temperature for population growth of this parasitoid was 28°C, therefore this temperature suggests for mass rearing of T. busseolae.

Animal droppings constitute an ephemeral habitat where specialized invertebrate communities including significant abundance of mites live together. In order to study the Mesostigmata mites associated with manure, samples were taken from different manure types of domestic animals and poultry in Ahvaz and its vicinity in Khuzestan Province, southwestern of Iran, over a period of two years (2015-2017). Here we report 20 species belonging to eight families of Mesostigmata, among which 14 species are new records for the fauna of Khuzestan Province. The genus and species Leitneria pugio (Karg, 1961) is newly recorded from Iran. The genus and species were previously only recorded in Europe. Also, Uroobovella varians Hirschmann & Zirngiebl-Nicol, 1962 is recorded for the first time from Iran based on deutonymph stage. We further provide collection data for each species along with a key for known Iranian species of the genus Uroobovella.

In parasitoids, host recognition and host preference strongly affect offspring fitness. These behavioral features are important in biological control when using the banker plant method. The use of banker plants (Vicia faba infected by Aphis fabae) in the presence of Lysiphlebus fabarum (Braconidae: Aphidiinae) was investigated as a way to control Aphis gossypii on cucumber plants. Synchronous wasp cohorts were produced on A. fabae or A. gossypii, then the mated females emerging from each aphid species were individually released into a petri dish containing 15 A. fabae and 15 A. gossypii (second-instar), to determine the impact of the host species of the parents on the fitness of the emerging adult parasitoids. The female wasps parasitized a larger percentage of available A. gossypii than A. fabae, and in addition, the females reared on A. gossypii were significantly larger than females reared on A. fabae. The results revealed that reducing the preference of A. fabae as an alternative host by L. fabarum led to an increase in parasitism of the pest aphid A. gossypii.

The sugarcane stem borer, Sesamia cretica Lederer, is one of the most economically important pests of sugarcane in Khuzestan province, southwest Iran. The egg parasitoid Telenomus busseolae Gahan significantly affect S. cretica population in the field. Host age is an important factor of host acceptance and suitability for egg parasitoids. We examined the ability of T. busseolae to parasitize and develop in S. cretica eggs of different ages. In a no choice laboratory experiment, we measured the effect of host age (12, 36, or 60 h old) on parasitism rate and offspring fitness characteristics such as survival, development time, sex ratio, size, and progeny longevity and fecundity. Results revealed that the suitability of host eggs decreased as host age increased. Exposure of parasitoids to 12h old eggs resulted in higher percentage parasitism, higher acceptance, higher survival and larger body size of parasitoid progeny. Progeny that emerged from 12h old eggs had also higher longevity and fecundity than those emerged from other host ages tested.

This is a report of 11 species belonging to six genera of Pteromalidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) from Khuzestan province of Iran. Four genera and 10 species are new for the fauna of province of which one genus (Notoglyptus) and five species viz. Cyrtogaster britteni Askew, 1965, Halticoptera collaris (Walker, 1836), Notoglyptus scutellaris (Dodd & Girault, 1915), Pachyneuron tonyi Narendran & Santhosh, 2007 and Spalangia drosophilae Ashmead, 1887 are new for Iran.

This contribution reports 15 species of Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) belonging to 12 genera from Khuzestan province of Iran of which 11 species were determined to species level. Five genera and seven species are new for the fauna of Khuzestan province. Three genera viz. Apoleptomastix, Rhopus and Thomsonisca, and three species viz. Apoleptomastix bicoloricornis (Girault, 1915), Leptomastidea bifasciata (Mayr, 1876) and Rhopus nigroclavatus (Ashmead, 1902) are new for the Iranian fauna.

The pear psylla¡ Cacopsylla pyricola (Förster) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae)¡ is a key pest of pear trees in Iran. One of the processes that regulate an insect population around the equilibrium position is the host plant effect. Therefore¡ the effect of plant variety on equilibrium level of pear psylla population was investigated for three pear varieties¡ including Shahmivea¡ Sebri and Coscia. A density-manipulation experiment was performed in a randomized complete block design with densities of 2¡ 4¡ 8¡ 16 and 32 pair of C. pyricola adults. The population models of Hassell and Ricker were fitted to the data and the minimum model was selected based on the model simplification. Populations recruitment curve were created and population equilibrium level of pear psylla was determined for each variety. The stability of the predicted equilibria was then determined. Long-term dynamics of pear psylla population was predicted for 100 generations by computer simulation of the best-fitted model. The results showed that the Ricker model could be fitted well to the data for all three varieties. The pear psylla population showed a density-dependence reaction. The equilibrium population values showed a difference of up to 36% for the three varieties. Predicted equilibrium was unstable for Shahmivea variety and while it was stable for two other varieties. In addition¡ computer simulation verified that long-term dynamics was fluctuated for Shahmivea variety and smooth for two other varieties. The effect of bottom-up forces of host plant on the magnitude and period of population fluctuations of pear psylla has been discussed.

Mass production of natural enemies has been considered a necessity for biological control programs. Most beneficial insects have a relatively short shelf-life, so suppliers do not have a sufficient number of biocontrol agents. The development of storage techniques for biocontrol agents provides flexibility and efficiency in mass production. Cold storage by prolonging insect development times provides a steady and sufficient supply of insects and synchronizes a desired developmental stage of biocontrol agents with times of pest outbreaks; so it reduces the cost of biocontrol programs by enlarging the production period over several months. Cold storage is usually associated with major fitness costs. Even if the insects remain alive after cold storage, a reduction of fitness may be observed, so the production of high quality natural enemies must be ensured. Developing effective methods is necessary in mass-producing. It has been reported that using fluctuating thermal regimes (FTR) (i.e. cold exposure interrupted by periodic short pulses of high temperature) versus constant thermal regimes (CTR) can progress the quality of biological control agents and significantly reduce rates of mortality. In this study, the impact of fluctuating thermal regimes versus constant low temperatures on the emergence rate, sex ratio, post-storage development time, adult size, egg load and egg size of the parasitoid wasp, Lysiphlebus fabarum (Marshall) was studied. The test was examined in three cold storage periods (1, 2, or 3 weeks). Lysiphlebus fabarum is an aphidiine parasitoid which attacks more than 70 species of aphids. Although both sexual (arrhenotokous) and asexual (thelytokous) populations of L. fabarum have been reported in Iran, the former population has been studied in this research. A stock colony of black bean aphid, Aphis fabae Scopoli (Hemi., Aphididae) was established from material collected in bean fields in Khuzestan province, Iran, in spring 2012. A sexual population of the parasitoid wasp, L. fabarum was collected from black bean aphids feeding on broad bean, Vicia fabae L. The synchronous cohort of L. fabarum was produced on the 2nd instar of aphid (at 21±1 ºC, 50–60% r.h., and L14:D10 photoperiod), then 30 two-day-old mated females were introduced into aphid colony consisting of 200 2nd instar individuals. The females were removed after 10 hours and parasitized aphids were reared for 54 hours (±6) to complete development to the late-instar larvae. These parasitized aphids, which were harboring late-instar larvae of wasp, were subjected to 6 ºC (as constant temperature regime) or were stored at 6 ºC with 2 hours daily exposure to 21±1 ºC (as the fluctuating temperature regime). The experiment was replicated with three cold storage periods (1, 2, or 3 weeks) with a control (direct development at 21±1 ºC). After completion of each storage temperature treatment, insects were transferred back to 21 °C until the emergence of adult wasps. Accordingly, the survival rate and the sex ratio (% females) were determined. The emerged wasps were then exposed to alcohol vapor for 2 minutes. The hind tibia of both gender was measured. Subsequently, the ovaries of each female were dissected to determine the egg load and egg size. According to results in CTR, survival of larvae was significantly reduced after one week of storage, and there was a gradual decrease in the second week, but there was no difference between survival of wasps that were stored after one and two weeks of storage. In FTR, emergence rate was decreased after one and two weeks of storage in comparison to the control, and the least survival was observed in the third week. When the survival was compared between different thermal regimes, FTR increased the survival in the first and second weeks, whereas after three weeks of storage there was no significant difference between two thermal regimes. In CTR, the least sex ratio of wasps was observed in those stored for two weeks, although there was no significant variation in sex ratios for control, one week and three week of storage. In FTR, cold storage did not affect on sex ratios of treatments. When the sex ratio was compared between different thermal regimes, for two and three weeks of storage, it was significantly higher in FTR and CTR, respectively. In females and males, larval storage increased development time relative to controls, in CTR. While in FTR, developmental time was decreased after two and three weeks of storage, in FTR. When developmental time was compared between two thermal regimes, post-storage development was slower in CTR after two and three weeks of storage in comparison to FTR, in both genders. In both thermal regimes, cold storage of wasps as larvae resulted in smaller male and female wasps relative to controls over all the storage periods. Egg load and egg size at emergence were progressively diminished as a function of the storage period, regardless of the thermal regimes. Egg load of wasps stored in CTR compared with FTR, was significantly higher for three weeks of storage. For all storage periods, egg size was significantly higher in FTR than CTR. Collectively, our results confirmed the beneficial effect of FTR relative to CTR, when larvae of L. fabarum were stored for two weeks at 6 °C. Although FTR reduced the development time, which could be a problem during delivery for mass release of natural enemies in the field, but the emergence rate, the sex ratio, the body size and the egg size were significantly higher in FTR than those in CTR. For three weeks of storage, FTR was more stressful than the CTR, as the wasps that were stored in CTR had significantly more post-storage development, sex ratio, body size and egg load than the fluctuating ones.

The chalcid wasps (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) is one of the largest groups of wasps with tremendous morphological, ecological, biological, and taxonomic diversity whose economic importance is being pest natural enemies or plant pests. The unknown chalcid fauna of Khuzestan province in southwestern Iran generated the execution of a faunistic study to elucidate its chalcidoid biodiversity. The material was collected by sweeping and trapping during 2014-2015 from fields, ranges and grasslands. This contribution lists 56 species belonging to 35 genera and 11 families (Agaonidae, Aphelinidae, Chalcididae, Encyrtidae, Eulophidae, Eupelmidae, Eurytomidae, Mymaridae, Pteromalidae, Signiphoridae and Trichogrammatidae). Eupristina saundersi Grandi, 1916 (Agaonidae) and Dirhinus bakeri (Crawford, 1914) (Chalcididae) are new records for the fauna of Iran, while Euplectrus liparidis Ferrière, 1941 and Hemiptarsenus zilahisebessi Erdös, 1951 (Eulophidae), Eupelmus sp. (Eupelmidae) and Mymar taprobanicum (Ward, 1875) and Polynema sp. (Mymaridae) are new for the Khuzestan province fauna.

The strawberry spider mite, Tetranychus turkestani (Ugarov & Nikolski) is one of the important pests of agricultural crops especially within grean houses. Biology ane life table parameters of Orius albidipennis (Reuter) feeding on strawberry spider mite at three different temperatures (20, 25 and 300C) was studied under laboratory conditions. Preimaginal developmental time of this predator at 20, 25 and 300C was 34.54, 16.82 and 11.68 days for females and 31.83, 16.1 and 11.89 days for males, respectively. Preimaginal mortality was 30, 28.12 and 17.25% at above mentioned temperatures, respectively. Sex ratio (female %) was 46, 51 and 48 % at at above mentioned temperatures, respectively. Adult longevity of female and male at 20 and 250C was 26.22 16.7 and 22.43, 13.22 days, respectively. Total egg production of females at two above mentioned temperatures was 50 and 39 eggs, respectively. Intrinsic rate of increase of this predator at two respected temperatures was 0.124 and 0.165, respectively. Generation time of O. albidipennis was 23.59 and 16.37 days, respectively. Our results showed that O. albidinnis has enough potential to control T. turkestani.

The strawberry spider mite, Tetranychus turkestani (Ugarov & Nikolski) is one of the most important pests of agricultural crops in Iran. Orius albidipennis (Reuter) is also an active predator of spider mites in agricultural ecosystems in Iran. One of the characters which is used for the evaluation of predators is their response to the different densities of prey (functional response). Functional response of different developmental stages of this bug by feeding on adult female T. turkestani was investigated at 25 ± 1 ºC, 60 ± 5% RH and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) h under laboratory condition. The experiments were carried out in a petri (10 cm diameter) on a bean leaf with the densities of 5, 10, 20, 30, 50 and 70 adult female mites. Mean maximum feeding rate of first, second, third, fourth and fifth nymphal stages as well as female and male adults of this bug were 9.6, 23, 34.8, 39.2, 48.1, 56.4 and49.1female adult T. turkestani, respectively. Functional response of all developmental stages (except for fourth nymphal stage) was of the Holling’s type II. Fourth nymphal stage showed Holling’s type III. Based on the Rojer’s equation, estimated attack rates of O. albidipennis were0.0654, 0.0678, 0.075, 0.0098, 0.1834, 0.1691 and0.165 and estimated handling times were 2.3048, 0.8259, 0.4684, 0.6585, 0.3666, 0.2484 and 0.3336 h for the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, female and male adult, respectively.

Functional and numerical responses of Eretmocerus delhiensis Mani parasitizing sugarcane whitefly، Neomaskellia andropogonis Corbett were investigated under laboratory conditions. Newly emerged.

Anthocoris nemoralis (F.) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) is one of the most prominent predators of the pear psylla, Cacopsylla pyricola (Forster) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) and is considered as a biological control agent against this pest. In order to investigate the effects of plant varieties on predation of C. pyricola by A. nemoralis, the functional response of both the sexes of A. nemoralis to pear psylla nymphs was studied on three pear varieties including ‘Shahmiveh’, as a susceptible host plant and ‘Sebri’ and ‘Coscia’, as partially-resistant host plants. Different densities of C. pyricola nymphs were offered to single A. nemoralis and predation proceeded for 24 h. The experiments were carried out under constant environmental conditions (27 ± 1 °C, 70 ± 5% RH and L: D 16: 8 h). Logistic regression and nonlinear least-squares regression were used to determine the type of functional response and to estimate attack rate (a) and handling time (Th), respectively. The results showed a type II functional response on all varieties. The asymptotic 95% confidence intervals, estimated by the model with indicator variable revealed that there was no significant difference between either the attack rates or between handling times of same sex of the predator on the tested varieties. However, when sexes were compared, the females of A. nemoralis had a shorter handling time and higher searching efficiency than the males on all varieties. The maximum predicted daily prey consumption by a female predator (T/Th) was the highest on the susceptible variety. Based on the type of functional response and its parameter values, the effectiveness of A. nemoralis was not affected by plant resistance; these findings may be promising for the integration of the partially-resistant varieties and A. nemoralis in sustainable pest management programs against the pear psylla. The implications of the results for biological control of pear psylla were discussed in a tritrophic context.

The effect of host diet on developmental time, fecundity and life-table parameters of Bracon hebetor (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) against the Mediterranean flour moth Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller) was studied in the laboratory conditions at 26 ± 1 °C, 65 ± 5% relative humidity and a photoperiod of 16L:8D h. The diets used were rice, barley, corn and wheat flours. The developmental time (egg to adult) of the first and second generations ranged from 9.00 to 14.00 days on barley flour and wheat flour, respectively. The survival of immature generations 1 and 2 ranged from 27 to 63%. The sex ratio of wasp progeny (females/total) ranged from 36.72 to 57.83% on wheat flour and rice flour, respectively. In the first and second generations, the fecundity of B. hebetor reared on barley and rice flours was greatest. Life table parameters varied significantly with host diets. In generation 2, B. hebetor-parasitized larvae reared on rice flour showed the highest net reproduction rate (R0 = 106.13) and the highest intrinsic rate of increase (rm = 0.269) of parasitoids. Based on the life-table analyses, rice flour was found the best diet for rearing the parasitoid. The results of this study can be used to improve mass-rearing programs of B. hebetor.