Impact of high temperature on the life history traits of the egg parasitoid Trichogramma cacoeciae Marchal (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

Abstract

The effect of high-temperature values (25, 30, 35 and 40 ± 1 °C) on the performance of the egg parasitoid Trichogramma cacoeciae Marchal (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), was assessed herein. Our results showed that the temperature of 30 °C was optimal for parasitism, with a mean number of parasitized eggs of about 29.00 ± 1.14. A significant decrease in parasitism and emergence was observed at 35 °C, while no progeny was produced at 40 °C. The developmental period and the longevity were inversely related to temperature. The possible implications of these results in biological control programs were discussed.