Reproduction of Tetrastichus howardi (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) pupae at different temperatures

Temperature is a major abiotic factor affecting insects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the development of Tetrastichus howardi (Olliff) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) on Diatraea saccharalis F., sensu Guenee (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) pupae at 6 constant temperatures (16, 19, 22, 25, 28, and 31 degrees C). This parasitoid developed at all temperatures with the shortest development time and lowest survival at 31 degrees C. Tetrastichus howardi females oviposited immediately after making contact with the host pupae. Parasitoids that were kept at 25 degrees C had the greatest fecundity, and those kept at 16 degrees C had the greatest longevity. The greatest net reproductive rate (R-0) occurred at 25 degrees C, and the intrinsic rates of increase (r(m)) at 25, 28, and 31 degrees C were similar but significantly greater than at the lower temperatures. The generation time (T) of T. howardi was significantly the longest at 16 degrees C, which resulted in the slowest development and greatest female longevity. The fecundity of Tetrastichus howardi was greater in the 19 to 28 degrees C temperature range than at 16 degrees C and at 31 degrees C. These results are important for the multiplication of T. howardi in the laboratory, and for understanding its potential for the biological control of D. saccharalis.