Influence of the temperature on the development and parasitism of Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae, Aphidiinae) reared on Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

The temperature is among the abiotic factors that directly affect the developmental time and behavior of insects. The adaptability to climatic conditions is a key point for the success of mass-rearing and establishment of parasitoids in biological control programs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the developmental time and parasitism of Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson) on Aphis gossypii Glover as host in different temperatures. The tests were carried out in climatic chambers at 15, 20, 25 and 30 +/- 1degreesC, 60+/-10% RH and 10h photophase. Parasitized nymphs of A. gossypii were kept individualized in petri dishes (6 cm of diameter) on a leaf disk (2 cm diameter) of chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflorum Tzvelev) `Yellow Snowdon' cultivar on a layer of agar. The developmental time of L. testaceipes was 26.9, 14.8, 11.3 and 12.2 days at 15, 20,25 and 30degreesC, respectively. Parasitism rates were 76, 68, 65 and 40% at 15, 20, 25 and 30 C, and emergence rates were 80, 61, 62 and 14% at these temperatures. The combination of a low developmental time (11.3 days) and parasitism and emergency higher than 60% occurred at 25degreesC, indicating that this temperature could be the most adequate for reproduction and establishment of L. testaceipes as a biological control agent of A. gossypii in protected cultivation.