Parasitoids and Effect of Weather Factors on their Parasitism on Babul Whitefly, Acaudaleyrodes rachipora (Singh) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Infesting Prosopis juliflora in Indian Arid Zone

Studies on the parasitoid complex of Acaudaleyrodes rachipora (Singh) infesting Prosopis juliflora in Jodhpur revealed the presence of four species of hymenopterous parasitiods, viz. Encarsia accudaleyrodis (Hayat), Encarsia transvena (Timeberlake), Encarsia sp. Dr. Davidi (Viggiani and Mazzone) and Eretmocerus rajasthancus (Hayat) parasitizing the nymphs/pupae of A. Rachipora. The overall parasitism varied from 80 to 97 per cent, maximum in month of October 1998 and minimum in January and March 1999. The host-specific parasitoid, Encarsia acaudaleyrodis was found predominantly associated throughout the year of observation, whereas, the other parasitiods were very less in number. The parasitiod population exhibited significant possitive correlation with temperature (maximum & minimum0C), and non-significant positive correlation with relative humidity (morning & evening per cent) and total rainfall(mm). In partial correlation, temperature (maximum & minimum, 0C) exhibited significant negative correlation whereas morning relative humidity exhibited non-significant positive correlation while evenning relative humidity and total rainfall (mm) exhibited negative correlation, The multiple regression showed thet all abiotic factors exhibited 35 per cent influence on the build up (R2) of its population.