EFFECT OF DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES ON LIFE HISTORY OF TRICHOGRAMMA CHILONIS (ISHII) IN THE LABORATORY CONDITIONS

Optimum temperature is an important physical factor for the efficient performance of Trichogramma chilonis (Ishii) to control notorious pests in field. To evaluate this appropriate temperature, all life fitness parameters of T. chilonis such as survival, parasitism, and emergence rates of parasitoid were studied under laboratory conditions by exposing the parasitoid on various temperature ranges i.e. 25±2°C, 30±2°C, 35±2°C, and 40±2°C in incubator. Highest survival rate of both male and female parasitoids were recorded at 25°C i.e. 22% up to 72 hours and 31.67% up to 120 hours respectively. The highest survival duration of female was recorded at 30°C up to 240 hours. Female possessed the ability to withstand the extreme temperature conditions and survived better than male. At 30°C it was found that ovipositing period of T. chilonis continued up to 264 hours and maximum parasitism recorded was 90.7%. Gradual increase in temperature resulted in increase in development rate, earlier maturation and rapid emergence of parasitoids. At Temperature 40°C emergence rate of male and female was maximum, 55% in 96 hours and 66.7% up to 120 hours respectively. The emergence duration was found maximum i.e. 216 hours for male and 240 hours for female at its favorable temperature which was 30°C. So, for successful rearing of T.chiolonis under laboratory conditions 25-30°C is a suitable temperature range.