none Anthonomus grandis; CONTROL-BY; Heterospilus megalopus (Hymenoptera); HYMENOPTERAN-PARASITES; Heterospilus megalopus; Parasite reproduction & longevity implications for control Heterospilus megalopus; CONTROL-OF; Anthonomus grandis (Coleoptera); AGE-; Fecundity & coleopteran host control relationships; SEXUAL-MATURATION; REPRODUCTIVE-PRODUCTIVITY; FECUNDITY-; Age relationships; LONGEVITY-; Coleopteran host control relationships; COLEOPTERAN-HOSTS; Anthonomus grandis; Parasite reproduction & longevity implications for control. The age-dependent fecundity, longevity, and rate of increase of Heterospilus megalopus Marsh, a parasitoid of the cotton boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis Boheman), were determined under laboratory conditions at 25 plus or minus 1 degree C. The longevity of H. megalopus was 62.3 plus or minus 33.5 d in males and 78 plus or minus 32.7 d in females. Lifetime oviposition was 36.1 plus or minus 22 eggs per females, from which 26.8 plus or minus 17 developed into larvae. The preovipositional period lasted 23.6 plus or minus 14.4 d. The fecundity plateau period (determined by cumulative oviposition) lasted 86 d (from 12 to 98 d after emergence), and the females oviposited 0.6 plus or minus 0.1 eggs per day during this period. The net reproductive rate (R sub(o)) was 5.63, the generation time was 9.19 wk, the doubling time was 3.69 wk, and the weekly intrinsic rate of increase (r sub(m)) was 0.188. The potential of this parasitoid as a biological control agent against the boll weevil is limited by its low fecundity and rate of increase.