Comparative biology and life table of Habrobracon hebetor (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) on Anagasta kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) at five constant temperatures

ABSTRACT

Habrobracon hebetor Say is an ectoparasitoid that has been used as a control agent of various lepidopteran pests. Temperature-dependent life table and thermal characteristics of H. hebetor are important in understanding the dynamics of host–parasitoid relationships and for optimizing biocontrol programmes. The influence of five constant temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 °C) on the biology of H. hebetor when parasitizing Anagasta kuehniella Zeller was studied. The survival rate of immature stages increased from 16.67% to 83.81% as temperature increased from 15 to 30 °C and then decreased at 35 °C. Total development time ranged from 45.70 days at 15 °C to 7.10 days at 35 °C. The lower temperature threshold for immature stages varied slightly around a value of 11–12 °C. The net reproductive rate (R₀) values were significantly different among temperatures and the highest value was found at 30 °C (85.10). The high survival rate and net reproductive rate combined with a relatively short generation time at 30 °C resulted in the intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) being highest (0.312 d⁻¹) at this temperature. Considering the acquired results, the temperature range between 25 and 30 °C was optimal for H. hebetor.

KEYWORDS:

• Parasitoid
• Mediterranean flour moth
• stored-product insects
• biological control
• temperature
• life table

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Hemmat Dadpour from Amol Biological Control Research Laboratory for useful comments. Kirsten Jensen, Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, is thanked for editorial and language assistance.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the Department of Plant Protection, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil.