Temperature-dependent growth and development of Theocolax elegans (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) parasitizing Lasioderma serricorne (Coleoptera: Ptinidae)

In order to explore the growth, development, and reproductive capacity of the parasitoid wasp, Theocolax elegans (Westwood) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) reared on the pupae of Lasioderma serricorne (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Ptinidae), the influence of temperature on lifespan, fecundity, development duration, development threshold temperature, and effective accumulated temperature of T. elegans was investigated at 20, 25, and 30 °C and 65 ± 5% relative humidity under dark conditions. Temperature significantly affected the development and reproductive capacity of T. elegans, and the optimum temperature range for T. elegans development was 25 to 30 °C. The adult longevity, developmental duration, and fecundity of T. elegans increased at 25 °C, and decreased at 30 °C, compared to that at 20 °C. The developmental threshold temperature of preoviposition was 9.65 ± 0.86 °C, and the effective accumulated temperature was 247.59 ± 34.47 d °C. The present results provided valuable information for the large-scale rearing of T. elegans with L. serricorne pupae as hosts.