Studies on reproductive efficiency and biometric parameters of progeny adults of Nesolynx thymus (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) – a parasitoid of Exorista bombycis (louis) (Diptera: Tachinidae) subjected to higher temperature

ABSTRACT Of the various factors, which influence the developmental characteristics of the parasitoid, the occurrence of high degree of sensitivity to temperature among the parasitoid is considered to be one of the drawbacks in biological control programmes of the pests using parasitoids. In the backdrop of this, initially, an attempt was made know whether Nesolynx thymus an indigenous, gregarious ecto-pupal parasitoid, would complete its life cycle at temperatures between 30 and 35°C. Later at the upper vital temperature limit for development, the female parasitoid was maintained for 10 generations to induce temperature tolerance. It was observed that the parasitoid could successfully complete its life cycle upto 32°C. No significant decline in rate of parasitization was observed upto 8th generation. Though there was no consistency in the progeny production at different generation, some decline was observed from 8th generation onwards. 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