A study was carried out in the laboratory to determine the number of generations of Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) parasitizing Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) eggs, considering averages of air temperatures for 24 seasons in Alegre, ES. The lower thereshold temperature and thermal constant were 13.0 °C and 131 degree-days, respectively. The average number of generations of T. pretiosum estimated for each tomato cycle (90 days) was 7.7 generations, ranging from 9.2 in the summer to 6.0 in the winter.
Insecta; Trichogrammatidae; biological control; tomato leafminer moth; thermal constant
