Comparative biology and life tables of Trichogramma evanescens and T. cacoeciae with Ephestia elutella as host at four constant temperatures

Abstract

The age-specific fecundity of Trichogramma evanescens Westwood and T. cacoeciae Marchal (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) with Ephestia elutella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Phycitinae) as host and the life span of the adults with and without hosts was determined at 20, 26, 30 and 35 • C and 75 ±5% r.h. in the laboratory. At 35 • C, no progeny emerged. The availability of hosts prolonged the longevity in both species. Longevity, percentage of parasitism, fecundity, and the intrinsic rate of natural increase were higher in T. evanescens than in T. cacoeciae. Trichogramma evanescens is expected to be more effective than T. cacoeciae for use in biological control of Ephestia spp., especially at low and high temperatures.

Biological characteristics and parasitism capacity of Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera, Trichogrammatidae) on eggs of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae)

“…The success of Trichogramma releases depends, among other factors, on the knowledge of the biological characteristics of the parasitoid species and/or strain to be used and on its interaction with the specific target host, since those characteristics will determine whether or not the parasitoid will efficiently control the targeted pest species (Bourchier & Smith 1996). Therefore, to better evaluate the effects of the use of a Trichogramma species or strain in biological control programs, it is required previous laboratory studies to evaluate the parasitoid biology, parasitism capacity, parasitoid emergence, and parasitoid biological cycle, among other biological characteristics (Hassan 1997;Scholler & Hassan 2001). It is also important to determine the thermal requirements to estimate the ideal temperature for parasitoid development.…”

“…This factor is very important in planning parasitoid mass rearing in the laboratory, since through thermal requirements it is possible to predict the day the parasitoid will emerge, thus allowing the insect production in the laboratory to meet field releases needs (Haddad et al 1999). However, it is also important to bear in mind that those biological features might vary deeply among species or strains, and accordingly to hosts and temperature as well (Hassan 1997;Scholler & Hassan 2001).…”

Selección de especies de Trichogramma sp. (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) criadas en los huevos de Anagasta kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

“…Estes valores foram superiores aos encontrados por Pratissoli et al (2004c) para T. pretiosum em ovos de S. cerealella e por Scholler & Hassan (2001) para Trichogramma evanescens Westwood sobre Ephestia elutella (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Sendo este parâmetro importante para avaliar uma criação, pois não é influenciado pelos fatores abióticos (Oliveira et al, 2007).…”

Biologia e exigências térmicas de Trichogramma pratissolii Querino & Zucchi (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) em hospedeiros alternativos

“…A capacidade de parasitismo, duração do ciclo, viabilidade e capacidade de dispersão, entre outros parâmetros biológicos, dependem do hospedeiro (condicionamento) e da temperatura. Portanto esses são estudos prévios obrigatórios na implantação de programas de controle biológico (Scholler & Hassan 2001).…”