Life Table Analysis of Chrysocharis laomedon (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) Parasitizing Liriomyza trifolii Larvae

Abstract

Life table parameters of Chrysocharis laomedon (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) parasitizing Liriomyza trifolii larvae were evaluated to determine its developmental performance, survival dynamics, and reproductive potential under controlled laboratory conditions. Observations included stage-specific development time, survivorship, fecundity, and sex ratio across successive generations of the parasitoid reared on host larvae. Results indicated successful completion of the life cycle with high immature survival, demonstrating strong host suitability of L. trifolii for parasitoid development. Female longevity and oviposition period were significantly higher than those of males, contributing to sustained parasitism capacity. Life table analysis revealed favorable demographic parameters, including elevated intrinsic rate of increase, net reproductive rate, and finite rate of increase, indicating strong population growth potential under optimal conditions. Survival curves exhibited gradual mortality across developmental stages, while fecundity peaked during early adult life, reflecting an age-specific reproductive strategy. Parasitism efficiency increased with host density up to an optimal threshold, beyond which competition and host limitation reduced overall parasitization success. Temperature significantly influenced developmental rate and reproductive output, with enhanced performance observed under moderately warm conditions typical of greenhouse vegetable systems. Continuous host availability supported stable population buildup, highlighting the suitability of L. trifolii as a factitious host for mass-rearing purposes. The study demonstrates the strong biological control potential of C. laomedon against serpentine leaf miner populations and supports its integration into augmentative and conservation biological control programs. These findings provide essential baseline information for predictive population modeling and sustainable pest management strategies in protected and open-field vegetable production systems.