Effect of temperature on life table parameters of Eretmocerus delhiensis (Hym.: Aphelinidae), a parasitoid of Neomaskellia andropogonis (Hem.: Aleyrodidae)

Development, reproduction, and life table parameters of the parasitoid Eretmocerus delhiensis Mani (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae)parasitizing sugarcane whitefly, Neomaskellia andropogonis Corbett (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)were studied at 20, 25, 30 and 32°C, 45±5% RH, and 12: 12 h (L: D). The developmental time of egg to adult stage, decreased from 24.2±0.46 days at 20°C to 10.7±0.33 days at 32°C. An average of 250 degree-days was required to complete development above the lower threshold temperature (11.25°C). Preimaginal survivorship was 77.76±0.41, 82.33±0.38, 74.99 ±0.37, and 59.45±1.07% at 20, 25, 30, and 32°C, respectively. The mean fecundity of E. delhiensis was 65.66±1.48, 82.80±3.24, 18.93±0.60, and 8.46±0.49 eggs at 20, 25, 30, and 32°C, respectively, and had a mean longevity of 23.80±0.55, 17.33±0.54, 6.66±0.28, and 4.43±0.22 days at the same four temperatures. The intrinsic rate of population increase (rm) ranged from 0.156±0.01 to 0.234±0.02, with the highest value recorded at 25°C. Our results revealed that 25°C is the optimum temperature for development and reproduction of E. delhiensis. These data can be used in supplementary studies to maximize the production of E. delhiensis from mass rearing facilities and to develop computer simulation models to predict E. delhiensis development plus population dynamics for release programs.