Influence of temperature and Helicoverpa armigera food on survival and development of the parasitoid, Campoletis chlorideae

Abstract

The effects of temperature and source of insect host (H. armigera) on the survival and development of C. chlorideae were studied. Temperatures 35°C were detrimental to the survival and development of the larvae of C. chlorideae. The post-embryonic development period of C. chlorideae was significantly and negatively associated with temperature. The parasitoid required a higher number of degree days to complete development at lower temperatures, and required a longer time (by 2.5-fold) to complete development at 18°C than at 27°C. Parasitoid development was prolonged by 6 days under ambient conditions (average of 23°C; 12-25°C) than at a constant temperature of 27°C, indicating that fluctuations in temperature have a significant influence on parasitoid development. The males and females were heavier when reared at 18 and 27°C than when reared under ambient conditions. Parasitism and adult emergence were influenced by host insect food, and parasitoid strain × temperature. The results indicated that changes in temperature as a result of climate change will have considerable influence on the survival and development of C. chlorideae