Effect of Temperature on Life Table Parameters of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant Feeding on Citrus Mealybug, Planococcus citri (Risso)

Mealybug destroyer, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant is the most important natural enemies of the citrus mealybug, Planococcus citri (Risso). Life table parameters of C. montrouzieri feeding on citrus mealybug, P. citri was studied at eight temperatures ranging 13 to 35 (±1) °C, 60 ± 10 % RH and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) h. in growth chamber. Development of the coccinellid did not complete or laid eggs were infertile at temperatures 13, 15, 30, 33 and 35 °C. Therefore, life table parameters were estimated only in three temperatures, 20, 25 and 27°C. Construction of the life table and calculation of its parameters was conducted using Carey procedure. According to the results, the maximum and minimum values of the net reproductive rates (Ro) were 208.48 and 77.52 female/female/generation at 20 and 25°C, respectively. The values of finite rate of increase (λ) at the same temperatures were 1.04, 1.14, and 1.08 day-1, respectively. The maximum values of intrinsic rate of increase (rm) were 0.085 female / female / day and shortest mean generation time (T) was 57.37 days, at 27 °C. Estimated values for the doubling time (DT) were 15.56, 8.30 and 8.09 days at temperatures 20, 25 and 27°C, respectively. The results confirmed that temperature has a significant effect on population increase of the predatory coccinelid, C. montrouzieri and 27°C is the optimum temperature for population growth of C. montrouzieri among examined temperatures.