Parasitism of the castor whitefly, Trialeurodes ricini (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) by Encarsia formosa (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae): bionomics in relation to temperature

Selected life history characteristics of Encarsia formosa Gahan parasitizing the castor whitefly, Trialeurodes ricini (Misra) were studied at three constant temperatures (20, 25 and 30°C). Egg-to-adult developmental time decreased from 32 days at 20°C to 13 days at 30°C. An average of 241 day-degrees was required to complete development above the lower threshold temperature (12°C). Juvenile mortality was 34, 40 and 47% at 20, 25 and 30°C, respectively. Mean longevity of E. formosa ranged from 7.7 days at 20°C, to 2.6 days at 30°C. Mean total fecundity ranged from 18 to 36 eggs/female. Intrinsic rate of increase (rm) increased with temperature from 0.065/day at 20°C to 0.169/day at 30°C. Generation times decreased from 37 to 14.5 days with increasing temperature.