Influence of temperature on the development and reproduction of Habrobracon hebetor (Say), as parasitoid of Opisina arenosella Walker

Opisina arenosella Walker is a coconut leaf-eating caterpillar that invaded the Hainan Province of China in 2013. Habrobracon hebetor Say is an ectoparasitoid used as a control agent of various lepidopteran pests. Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the effects of constant temperatures (16, 20, 24, 28, and 32 °C) on the parasitism, development, survival, and reproduction of H. hebetor on O. arenosella. The results showed that developmental duration and adult longevity shortened with the increase in temperature. The preadult survival rates were higher at 20 to 32 °C (55 to 72%) than at other temperatures. The parasitism rate and the fecundity increased with the increase in temperature, and reached the highest value at 28 °C (82.03% and 325.17 eggs), then decreased at 32 °C (76.96% and 152.57 eggs). The developmental threshold (T0) and effective accumulated temperature (k) for completing a generation of H. hebetor were 13.71 °C and 143.28 degree days, respectively. At 28 °C, net reproductive rate (R0) and intrinsic rate of increase (r) were 65.03 and 0.229 d−1, respectively. These results can provide a reference for mass rearing and field release of H. hebetor on O. arenosella.