Temperature-related development of the parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis as forensic indicator

Abstract.  Development times of the forensically significant parasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) from oviposition to pupation, and from oviposition to adult emergence, were studied in the laboratory at temperatures of 15–35°C using host pupae of the blowfly Protophormia terraenovae (Robineau-Desvoidy) (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Total developmental time of N. vitripennis from oviposition to adult emergence (mean ± SD) was 43.5 ± 2.4, 22.5 ± 1.1, 14.8 ± 1.7 and 11.3 ± 0.9 days when reared at 15, 20, 25 and 30°C, respectively. At 35°C, N. vitripennis did not develop successfully. The rate of total immature development (1/days) increased with temperature. From linear regression of development rates, it was determined that the minimum threshold (tL) for total immature development was 9.8°C (∼10°C). Above this threshold, the overall thermal constant (K) for N. vitripennis was found to be 224.3 ± 1.7 degree-days.