The Impact of Temperature on Biological and Life Table Parameters of Cryptoleamus montrouzieri Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) Fed on Cotton Mealy Bug, Phenococcus solenopsis Tinsley
Abstract.-The impact of temperature on biological and life table parameters of Cryptoleamus montrouzieri Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) fed on cotton mealy bug were evaluated at three different temperatures i.e. 24, 28 and 32±1°C with 65 ±5% relative humidity and 16:8 ( L:D) photoperiod under growth chamber. Results showed that rearing of C. montrouzieri at 28°C, resulted in optimum developmental and reproductive characteristics and life table parameters. It was inferred from the present findings that rapid development of C. montrouzieri at 32°C can be useful if quick development is desired in laboratories. At 28°C, the recorded total female fecundity was highest, as females tend to oviposit a total of 235.1±0.08 eggs per female. Highest survival rate (92%) from egg to adult emergence was recorded at 28°C as compared to all other temperatures. Highest survivorship rate (Lx) (0.905), maximum oviposition rate per female per day (Mx) (235.1) and highest values of R 0 (203.1), r m (0.0374) were obtained by rearing of C. montrouzieri at 28°C. The longest mean generation time (T) (91.2) and doubling time (DT) (13.11) of C. montrouzieri was achieved by rearing at 24 °C, while highest death rate (Dx) (24.60) was recorded at 32°C
