effects of temperature on population growth parameters of cryptolaemus montrouzieri (coleoptera: coccinellidae) reared on planococcus citri (homoptera: pseudococcidae)

The effect of temperature on the development, survival, fecundity and population growth parameters of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant (Col.: Coccinellidae) reared on Planococcus citri Risso (Hom.: Pseudococcidae) was determined at five constant temperatures (18, 22, 26, 30 and 32±1°C) in the laboratory conditions. Results showed a temperature - dependent development of the coccinellid. The mean total of immature period was estimated 76.6±0.9, 33.9±0.1, 25.8±0.1, 22.6±0.1 and 26.2±1.4 days at 18, 22, 26, 30 and 32°C, respectively. The highest and lowest values of R0, rm and λ were obtained 369.9±50.2 and 2.5±0.8 (female/female/generation), 0.07±0.01 and 0.02±0.01 (female/female/day) and 1.08±0.01 and 1.02±0.01 (day-1) at 26 and 32°C, respectively. The lowest values of generation time (T) and doubling time (Dt) were calculated 42.2±0.9 and 8.9±0.5 days at 32 and 26°C, respectively. The lower and higher developmental threshold of total of immature period were obtained 11.5 and 25.5°C, respectively. The thermal requirement for completion of total of immature period of this predator were estimated 400 DD. These results showed that 26°C and/or adjacent temperature is most suitable for mass rearing of this predator.