Biology and Bionomics of Brachymeria excarinata Gohan, a Pupal Parasitoid of Plutella xylostella L. on Cauliflower

The endoparasitic stages (egg to pupal) and adult periods were lasted 18.24 ± 0.37 and 10.85 ± 0.75 days, respectively. Under laboratory conditions, the parasitoid completed its life cycle in 29.09 ± 1.13 days and the females survived longer than males. A female parasitoid usually laid egg an average of 20.05 ± 0.85 eggs. The pupal mean population ranged from 5 to 70%. The mean level of parasitisation ranged from 9.38 to 55.85% and was positively correlated with the increase of DBM population. Among the abiotic factors, temperature and sunshine showed positive significant influence on the parasitoid activity. The percentage of parasitisation also increased during the late stage of cropping season.