Development, reproduction, and longevity of Telenomus cyamophylax, egg parasitoid of the velvetbean caterpillar Anticarsia gemmatalis, in relation to temperature

The effects of four constant temperatures (15, 20, 25, and 30degreesC) on the rate of development, reproduction, and longevity of Telenomus cyamophylax Polaszek parasitizing eggs of Anticarsia gemmatalis Hubner were evaluated in laboratory. The duration of the immature stages ranged from 12.5 days at 30degreesC to 51.8 days at 15degreesC, and a total of 245.5 degree-days above a lower threshold of 10.2degreesC were required by T. cyamophylax to complete its development from oviposition to adult emergence. The mean number of parasitized eggs by mated females during five consecutive days following their emergence was highest at 25degreesC, with an average of 97.2 parasitized eggs/female and 96.3% of adult emergence. At 15degreesC, rates of parasitism (47.0 eggs/female) and adult emergence (80.8%) were significantly reduced in relation to 25degreesC. Females lived significantly longer than males in all temperatures, except at 30degreesC. Male longevity ranged from 13.3 days at 30degreesC to 42.0 days at 15degreesC, while females lived from 17.4 days at 30degreesC to 100.1 days at 15degreesC. The temperature at which the parasitoids were reared did not significantly affect the sex ratio of T. cyamophylax. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.