PARASITISM AND BIOLOGY OF THE EGG PARASITOID, Trichogramma evanescens WESTW. IN RELATION TO VARIOUS HOST INSECTS AT KAFR EL-SHEIKH REGION.

Metwally, M M.; Serag El-Dien, F. S.

doi:10.21608/jppp.2009.166806

PARASITISM AND BIOLOGY OF THE EGG PARASITOID, Trichogramma evanescens WESTW. IN RELATION TO VARIOUS HOST INSECTS AT KAFR EL-SHEIKH REGION.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Plant Protection. Res. Inst. A. R. C., Giza, Egypt

10.21608/jppp.2009.166806

Abstract

Percentages of natural parasitism by Trichogramma evanescens Westw. were highest in eggs of Ostrinia nubilalis Hub. followed by those of Chilo agamemnon Bles., Sesamia cretica Led. and Spodoptera littoralis Biosd. However, biological characteristics of produced parasites indicated that S. cretica was the most suitable host for the parasite.
Natural parasitism of O. nubilalis eggs was higher in maize fields than that of C. agamemnon in rice fields and S. littoralis in cotton fields. It was found that S. littoralis eggs was covered with fur which acted as a mechanical barrier for parasitism. Parasites reared on S. cretica have longer durations of longevity and longer life-cycle besides a higher sex ratio in adult emerging and oviposition and post-oviposition period. Sitotroga cerallella Oliv. was found to be a moderately suitable host for the parasite. The laboratory strain of the parasite came inferior to the field strain.