Effect of Temperature on the Developmental Period, Progeny Production and Longevity of Tetrasticbus howardi (Olliff) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)

The developmental period of Tetrastichus howardi (Olliff), a parasitoid of the uzi fly, EXoista bombyeis (Louis) showed a negative correlation with temperature. It decreased from 51.70 ± 0.64 days at 15°C to 12.83 ± 0.10 days at 30°C. Progeny production had a positive correlation with temperature upto 25°C. The upper and lower temperature threshold limits of T. howardi were 30°C and 15°C respectively. At 35°C and 20°C temperatures, the females survived for 4.20 ± 0.27 days and 19.80 ± 1.09 days without food, while the males lived for 3.10 ± 0.41 days and 11.70 ± 0.44 days respectively. At similar temperatures, life span for fed females were 9.20 ± 0.83 days and 30.90 ± 0.74 days and those for fed males 4.40 ± 0.41 days and 25.0 ± 0.70 days respectively.