A comparison of the development times of Trissolcus rufiventris (Mayr) and Trissolcus simoni Mayr (Hymn.: Scelionidae at three constant temperatures

Abstract

The effects of temperature on the development of the egg parasitoids Trissolcus rufiventris (Mayr) and Trissolcus simoni Mayr (Hym.: Scelionidae) were determined at 3 constant temperatures. Female development ranged from 6.9 days at 32 °C to 22.5 days at 20 °C for T. rufiventris, and from 9.2 days at 32 °C to 24.7 days at 20 °C for T. simoni. The average development time of males was shorter than that of females for each parasitoid species. The development of female T. rufiventris required 125.0 degree-days above the theoretical threshold of 15.5 °C and that of males required 111.1 degree-days above 15.3 °C. The lower threshold temperature and thermal requirement of T. simoni were estimated as 12.5 °C and 166.7 degree-days for females and 12.0 °C and 166.7 degree-days for males. The immature stages of T. rufiventris developed faster than those of T. simoni. It was concluded that T. rufiventris has an advantage in the biological control of Eurygaster integriceps Put. (Het.: Scutelleridae). © TÜBİTAK.