Effect of temperature on the development, female longevity and parasitism of Closterocerus formosus (Hym.: Eulophdiae), parasitoid of Liriomyza trifolii (Dip.: Agromyzidae)

The effects of five constant temperature (15, 20, 25, 30 & 35 oC) on the development (egg to adult emergence), longevity of female and parasitism of eulophid wasp Closterocerus formosus Westwood, on the serpentine leafminer, Liriomyza trifolii (Burges), was studied on bean. The developmental period was decreased as temperature increased and developmental duration from egg to adult emergence at constant experimental temperatures was 53.2, 27.6, 15.4, 9.6 and 7.2 days, respectively. Also the longevity of adult females decreased as temperature increased, and in the mentioned temperatures, female longevity determined as 27, 23.1, 22.4, 19.8 and 17.6 days. Accordingly, total numbers of host killed by the parasitoid (by parasitism and host killing) were 37.4, 197.8, 349.5, 324.4 and 296.5 at constant temperatures. The relationship between temperature and the developmental rate of the parasitoid well described by linear regression model. The lower threshold temperature was estimated to be 13.5 oC and degree-day requirement for egg-adult emergence was 166.