Fertility life table of Trichogramma pretiosum (Hym., Trichogrammatidae) in eggs of Tuta absoluta and Phthorimaea operculella (Lep., Gelechiidae) at different temperatures

The aim of this work was to study the reproductive potential of Trichogramm a pretiosum reared on Tuta absoluta and Phthouimaea operculella eggs throug h fertility life tables at different temperatures. The development cycle an d the parasitization capacity of this parasitoid was determined in order to calculate the net reproductive rate (R-o), the infinitesimal increase rati o (r(m)), the finite increase rate (lambda) and the mean duration of the ge neration (T). The mean duration of one generation of T. pretiosum kept on b oth eggs was observed to show an inverse relation with the increase of temp erature. The net reproduction rate varied according to the temperature vari ation for both species. The maximum increase in capacity of T. pretiosum on the first host (T. absoluta) was reached at 22 degreesC and on the second host (P. operculella) between 22 and 25 degreesC. The infinitesimal increas e rate and the finite increase rate for both moths had a relationship with the increase of temperature ranging from 18 to 30 degreesC. The highest val ue of lambda for both moths occurred at 30 and 32 degreesC according to the lesser duration of a generation.