Biological parameters and thermal requirements of Trichogramma pretiosum reared on Helicoverpa armigera eggs

Abstract

The objective of this work was to determine the biological parameters and thermal requirements of Trichogramma pretiosum TM strain reared on Helicoverpa armigera eggs. A card containing 20 eggs of H. armigera was offered for each T. pretiosum female, at temperatures of 18, 20, 22, 25, 28, 30 and 32°C. All life stages of T. pretiosum were observed under the given temperature conditions. The optimum temperature for the parasitism of T. pretiosum was 25°C, and the highest longevity was found at the same temperature. The highest parasitoid emergence rates occurred at temperatures of 22, 25 and 28°C. The highest proportion of T. pretiosum individuals emerged per egg was observed at 18°C. Concerning the sex ratio, the highest proportion of females occurred at 28°C, and the highest percentage of parasitism viability was observed at this same temperature. The lowest thermal threshold for total preimaginal development and thermal requirements of T. pretiosum were 10.82°C and 134.55 degree-days, respectively. The estimated number of generations of T. pretiosum in the average temperatures of municipality of Bom Jesus, state of Piauí, Brazil is four per month.