In this work, we examined the effects of temperature (15-35±1 ºC), host age, parasite age and food (honey) on reproduction and rate of development of the egg parasite, Trichogramma cocaeciae, reared on Ephestia kuehniella eggs. The results showed that temperature had a significant effect on the mean number of parasitized eggs/female, developmental time, survival to adults and female longevity. Survival of immatures to adults was best at 25±1 ºC, lowest at 15±1ºC and no survival was recorded at 35±1 ºC. Furthermore, parasitization was highest in the 1st day after emergence, continued (depending on the temperature) for up to 10 days with gradual decrease and peaked at 25±1 ºC. An inverse relationship was noted between temperature, mean female longevity and developmental time; longevity decreased and developmental rate increased (the time needed for development decreased) with increasing temperature. Food, in the form of honey, increased significantly female longevity and parasitization ability and young eggs (E. kuehniella eggs) were significantly more suitable for parasitism than older ones.
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