Effects of constant and alternating temperatures on Trichogramma galloi Zucchi (Hym, Trichogrammatidae) biology .2. Parasitism capacity and longevity

This study was carried out to examine the effects of constant (18, 20, 22, 25, 30 and 32 degrees C) and alternating temperatures (simulating the diurnal and nocturnal mean temperatures of the 4 seasons of the year) on the parasitism capacity and longevity of trichogramma galloi, the most common sugarcane borer egg parasitoid species in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The lowest parasitism was observed at 18 and 32 degrees C constant temperatures. The higher parasitism capacity was obtained at the summer thermal condition. The parasitism capacity at the summer and winter simulation was higher when compared to the constant corresponding temperatures. Longevity was higher at lower temperatures. Trichogramma galloi life span was not affected by alternating temperatures.