RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN TEMPERATURE AND LIFE-HISTORY PARAMETERS OF TRICHOMALOPSIS-SARCOPHAGAE (HYMENOPTERA, PTEROMALIDAE)

The effect of temperature on the life history of the pteromalid parasi toid Trichomalopsis sarcophagae Gahan was determined to develop relati onships that could be used for construction of simulation models of bi ological control. Immature developmental rates were not influenced by parasitoid sex or host species, and increased in a Linear fashion with temperatures in the range of 15 to 30 degrees C. Development was limi ted at 33 degrees C. Immature development required 197 degree-days abo ve 12.4 degrees C. Immature survival was lowest at 15 and 33 degrees C , and highest in the range of 22 to 26 degrees C. Host species did not influence the relationship between temperature and immature survival, although few er progeny were produced in pupae of the stable ny, Stom oxys calcitrans (L.), compared with the house By, Musca domestica (L.) . Sex ratio of emerging parasitoids was 79% female at 15 degrees C, an d 62-69% female at 20-30 degrees C. Stable ny pupae yielded 64% female s compared with 73% females from house By pupae. House ny pupae yielde d 8.2 progeny per pupa compared with 4.6 progeny per stable fly pupa. Median female longevity declined from 15-18 d at 15 degrees C to 4-5 d at 33 degrees C. Time to 50% oviposition ranged from 8-11 d at 15 deg rees C to <2 dat 33 degrees C. Lifetime progeny production was lowest at 15 and 33 degrees C, and >70 progeny per female at 25 degrees C. Th e net reproductive rate was <1 female per female at 15 and 33 degrees C and >38 female per female at 25 degrees C. Mean generation time decr eased from 89 d at 15 degrees C to <12 d at 33 degrees C. The intrinsi c rate of increase was less than or equal to 0 female per female per d ay at 15 and 33 degrees C, but >0.22 female per female per dal at 25 d egrees C. T. sarcophagae appears better adapted to cooler temperatures than many other pteromalids, and may prove to be a useful biological control agent for filth flies in northern areas.