The Impact of Temperature on Biological and Life Table Parameters of Cryptoleamus montrouzieri Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) Fed on Cotton Mealy Bug, Phenococcus solenopsis Tinsley

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 R0 (203.1), rm (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.