Performance of Trichogramma chilonis under different rearing temperatures

Influence of rearing temperature on biological parameters of Trichogramma chilonis (Ishii) was studied under laboratory conditions during 2017-18. Maximum per cent parasitization and adult emergence of 74.2% and 78.91%, respectively was observed at 25+1°C followed by 71.8% and 65.21 % at 30±1°C. However, the temperature of 40+1°C was found detrimental to T. chilonis recording only 20.2% parasitization, the progeny of which has failed to complete the development and the adults could not emerge out. The developmental period was maximum (8 days) at 25+1°C. Also, maximum male and female longevity (5 and 12 Days, respectively) and maximum mean per day fecundity of 17 eggs per female/day were recorded at 25+1°C. The progeny was found to be male dominated with a female-male ratio of T. chilonis to be 0.69, 0.74 and 0.96 at 25, 30 and 35°C, respectively.