Development and viability of the egg parasitoids Telenomus podisi Ashmead and Trissolcus brochymenae (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) were studied at five constant temperatures ranging from 17°C to 32°C on its host, the predatory bug Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae). Female development from egg to adult ranged from 10.8 days (32°C) to 48.6 days (17°C) for T. podisi, and from 10.2 days (32°C) to 35.4 days (17°C) for T. brochymenae. Parasitism viability ranged from 89.0 to 92.7% for T. brochymenae. However, T. podisi viability decreased in lower and higher temperatures. Lower threshold temperatures for egg to adult female development was estimated at 11.1°C for T. podisi and 9.5°C for T. brochymenae. Thermal requirements for this period was 205.3 and 214.7 degree-days for T. podisi and T. brochymenae, respectively. Number of generations per year of these parasitoids and its host, considering the temperature conditions of eucalyptus areas, were estimated to be 22.6, 23.9 and 10.2 for T. podisi, T. brochymenae and P. nigrispinus, respectively. These results indicate that T. brochymenae is better adapted to temperature variations than T. podisi, however, both species can successfully parasitize P. nigrispinus.
Insecta; Scelionidae; predatory bug; biological control; temperature
