Life Table Parameters of Opius dissitus Musebeck (Braconidae), A Parasitoid of Leafminer, Liriomyza sativae Blanchard

The leafminer, Liriomyza sativae Blanchard is a phytophagous fly infesting a wide range of vegetable and ornamental plants. Opius dissitus Musebeck is an endoparasitoid of larvae-pupae of L. sativae . The life history of parasitoid were assessed in different temperatures under laboratory conditions. The mean developmental time of O. dissitus from egg to adult was 15-22 days depending on the prevailing temperature.  An average of 108.75 progenies were produced per female during her lifetime. O. dissitus adults emerge out of the leafminer pupae. One adult emerges from a single parasitized pupa. Mean adult longevity was 12.00 for females and 13.15 days for males. The highest mortality was 45% in June. Eggs laid by females were 22.85 per day. The net reproductive rate ( R 0 ) was highest 58.77 at 32 0 C but lowest 15.45 at 20 0 C. The intrinsic rate of increase (r m ) was increased with increasing temperature from 20 to 32 0 C but peaker (0.56 day -1 ) at 32 0 C. Mean generation time ( t G ) decreased significantly with increasing temperature ranging from 14.13 days at 20 0 C to 9.89 days at 32 0 C. The finite rate of increase higher at 32 0 C (1.67 day -1 ) and lower 1.21 day -1 at 20 0 C. The results suggested that O. dissitus could develop and reproduce within a wide range of temperatures.