Can Trichogramma atopovirilia Oatman & Platner replaces Trichogramma galloi Zucchi for Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius) control?

Abstract

Studies on aggressiveness of parasitoids, as assessed by their parasitism against pests, used in biological-control programs are highly important to select the most suitable species and/or strain to control insect pests. The present study investigated whether the egg parasitoid Trichogramma galloi Zucchi, an efficient control agent for sugarcane borer Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius) in Brazil, could be replaced by Trichogramma atopovirilia Oatman & Platner, a parasitoid easier to mass-produce, since it has been found parasitizing D. saccharalis eggs in the warmest region of Brazil and Argentina. Three strains of the genus Trichogramma were compared: T. atopovirilia (ATP strain) reared on a factitious host Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller); T. atopovirilia isoline ATP-I, reared on D. saccharalis eggs for six generations; and T. galloi, reared on A. kuehniella eggs. We measured parasitism of each strain for 72 h and for the entire life span, parasitism rate per cluster of D. saccharalis eggs, number of parasitoids emerged (parasitism viability), and parasitoid life span. The results confirmed that T. galloi is the best species for D. saccharalis control, showing higher control potential, since parasitism and emergence rate were higher for this species. Although T. atopovirilia ATP-I performed reliably in all parameters, T. galloi exceeded and was the most indicated for mass-rearing in control programs for sugarcane borer.

Is Integrated Management of Gymnandrosoma aurantianum Possible with Trichogramma atopovirilia and Novel Products Used in Citrus Orchards in Brazil?

“…Trichogramma atopovirilia individuals were collected in eggs of Helicoverpa zea (Boddie, 1850) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), in a corn-growing area in São José dos Pinhais, Paraná, Brazil (25°32′06″ S, 49°12′21″ W, elevation 906 m) (temperate climate with mild summers, Köppen C fb ). The wasps were maintained for more than 20 generations (the life cycle (egg-adult) of this parasitoid is about 10 days [ 11 , 12 , 13 ]), on the eggs of Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller, 1879) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in a rearing room in the same environmental conditions as above, at the Insect Biology Laboratory [ 17 ].…”

Chemical and biological products used in sugarcane and their effect on Trichogramma galloi

“…In sugarcane fields, the use of egg parasitoids has increased in control programs for Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), one of the main and most harmful pests of the crop (Valente et al, 2016; Parra & Coelho Jr., 2019). Trichogramma galloi Zucchi (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) is constantly recommended for the management of D. saccharalis , as it has high egg parasitism rates, high emergence rates, and a functional mass‐rearing method for laboratories (Camarozano et al, 2022).…”