• Dr. Divya S. H.
• Dr. Narendra Kumar J. B.
• Dr. Ch Padmavathi
• Dr. D. Manjunath

The influence of temperature on the biological parameters of parasitoids varies according to the species. Parasitoids are known to exhibit a great deal of flexibility to a wide range of temperatures in terms of longevity and reproductive performance. They perform well at certain range of temperatures which lie between upper and lower threshold temperatures. Information about thermal effects on a parasitoid development is important for understanding their biological characteristics. In the present study an attempt was made to determine the upper and the lower threshold temperatures in case of the pteromalid Trichomalopsis uziae, a pupal parasitoid of the silkworm uzi fly, Exorista bombycis. Experiments at seven constant temperatures, i.e., at 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35° C revealed that the progeny production, sex ratio, and parent female longevity were perceptibly high at 25°C. Lower range temperatures of 10 and 15°C as well as higher range temperatures of 33, 34, and 35°C, inhibited parasitism/parasitoid development. The lower and upper threshold temperatures were estimated to be 15.54 and 35.91°C, respectively. The estimated thermal constant (K) for the parasitoid development from egg to adult emergence stood at 333 degree days. Brood allocation, progeny production, and sex ratio were greatest at 25°C, indicating this temperature to be optimum for the parasitoid reproductive performance.

Degree days, development, range, temperature, thermal constant, Trichomalopsis uziae,

"UPPER AND LOWER THRESHOLD TEMPERATURES AND THERMAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRICHOMALOPSIS UZIAE, A PUPAL PARASITOID OF THE TACHINID FLY, EXORISTA BOMBYCIS", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 3, page no.f242-f257, March-2026, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2603532.pdf

"UPPER AND LOWER THRESHOLD TEMPERATURES AND THERMAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRICHOMALOPSIS UZIAE, A PUPAL PARASITOID OF THE TACHINID FLY, EXORISTA BOMBYCIS", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 3, page no. ppf242-f257, March-2026, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2603532.pdf