Life tables and intrinsic rate of increase in Apanteles baoris Wilkinson, a larval parasitoid of Udaspes folus Cramer from Western Maharashtra

Abstract

Life tables and intrinsic rate of increase have been studied in Apanteles baoris Wilkinson (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a larval parasitoid of Udaspes folus Cramer. The longevity of ovipositing females of A. baoris, ranged from 8 to 9 days (mean 8.4 days). The number of progeny produced averaged 53.4 (range 51–57) individuals. The male: female offsprings averaged 1: 1.308 (range 1: 1.111 – 1.600). The first adult mortality was on the fifth day. Average length of immature stages of parasitoid was 17 days. The maximum progeny production per day, (mx) was 41.7 on second day and reproduction stopped on fifth day. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) per female per day was 0.214 and population multiplied 53.4 times in mean generation time ‘T’ of 18.58 days.