Effect of temperature on life table parameters of the egg parasitoid, Telenomus busseolae (Hym.: Platygastridae) on the sugarcane stem borer, Sesamia cretica (Lep.: Noctuidae)

Following sugarcane production extension in Khuzestan province, some pests appeared in sugarcane fields and sugarcane stem borers, Sesamia spp. were the most important among them. Development, reproduction and life table parameters of the parasitoid wasp, Telenomus busseolae Gahan on the sugarcane stem borer Sesamia cretica Lederer were studied at five constant temperatures (20, 25, 28, 30 and 35±1°C, 60±5% RH and a photoperiod of 16L:8D h.). The duration of pre-adult stage decreased with increasing temperature from 26.67 days at 20°C to 10.25 days at 35°C. The oviposition period was 4.16, 4.6, 4.99, 4.04 and 3.31 days at 20, 25, 28, 30 and 35°C, respectively, with females laying an average of 56.37, 65.45, 98.59, 57.44 and 33.86 eggs, respectively, at these five temperatures. Life table data were analyzed using an age-stage, two-sex life table method. The intrinsic rate of increase (r=0.262 day-1), finite rate of increase (λ=1.3 day-1) and net reproductive rate (R0=49.28 offspring/individual) were greatest at 28°C. The shortest mean generation time (T=12.17 day) was recorded at 35°C. The results of the current study indicated that temperature is one of the most important factors on life table parameters of T. busseolae. Also the optimum temperature for population growth of this parasitoid was 28°C, therefore this temperature suggests for mass rearing of T. busseolae.