Influence of constant temperatures on development, reproduction and life table parameters of Encarsia inaron (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) parasitizing Neomaskellia andropogonis (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

The Life history and life table parameters of the parasitoid Encarsia inaron (Walker) parasitizing Neomaskellia andropogonis Corbett were studied at 20, 25, 30 and 32 °C. Egg-to-adult development time of females ranged from 31.7 days at 20 °C to 15.0 days at 30 °C. An average of 305.4 degree-days was required to complete development above the lower threshold temperature (10.8 °C). Pre-adult survivorship was 80.8, 86.6, 72.5 and 64.4% at 20, 25, 30 and 32 °C, respectively. Mean longevity of adult females E. inaron ranged from 22.3 days at 20 °C to 4.5 days at 32 °C. Mean total fecundity ranged from 12 to 74 eggs/female. The sex ratio (female %) ranged from 54 to 82%. The intrinsic rate of population increase (rm) at the different temperatures ranged from 0.113 to 0.203 females/female/day, with the highest value recorded at 25 °C. These data have implications for commercial rearing of E. inaron as well as for understanding its performance when used for the management of N. andropogonis.

► Encarsia inaron as one of the important parasitoids of Neomaskellia andropogonis.
► The effect of different constant temperatures on developmental time of E. inaron.
► The effect of temperature on biological and life table parameters of E. inaron.
► 25 °C is the best temperature for mass production of this parasitoid.