Biological Parameters and Life Tables of the Parasitoid Comperiella bifasciata on Red Scale Insect, Aonidiella aurantii

Abstract

Studying the relationship between parasitoids and their hosts, especially with regard to life tables, is an important knowledge for studying their effectiveness and impact on the host, which contributes to limiting or reducing the damage they cause. Life tables of the parasitoid Comperiella bifasciata (Howard) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) on red scale insect Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell)

(Homoptera: Diaspididae) were investigated in the General insect Laboratory, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Tishreen University, Syria under temperature of 25±1°C, relative humidity 65±5%, and lphotoperiod of 16:8 hours (light:dark) using the TWOSEX-MSChart program. The results obtained showed that the intrinsic rate of increase (r)= 0.066±0.004 female/female/day, the finite rate of increase (λ)= 1.068±0.004 day, net reproductive rate (R₀)= 6.991±0.756 female/female/generation, generation time (T)= 29.229±0.241 days, gross reproduction rate (GRR)= 18.43±1.024 individuals/offspring, doubling time (DT)= 10.418 days. The average of the pre-pupal period was 13.81±0.12 days and the pupal stage was 10.85±0.15 days. The results obtained also showed that fecundity (F)= 15.49±0.48 eggs/female, and mean longevity of female= 32.02±0.31 days, whereas the mean longevity of male= 28.4±0.22 days. These parameters are essential for predicting the evolution of C. bifasciata population dynamics and its relationship with its host the red scale insect A. aurantii for the design of pest management programs.

Keywords:

Parasitoid, Comperiella bifasciata, Aonidiella aurantii, life table, Syria.