Suitability assessment of three Trichogramma species in the control of Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Mythimna separata (Walker) is a serious cosmopolitan pest. Trichogramma species have been used worldwide as biological control agents of lepidopteran pests. However, no data on the control efficiency of Trichogramma species on this pest have been reported. We evaluated the suitability of M. separata eggs for three Trichogramma species, Trichogramma dendrolimi Matsumura, T. ostriniae Pang et Chen and T. japonicum Ashmead, and compared the suitability with that of Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton) eggs. The parasitism rate, development time, emergence rate, female proportion, body size and egg load of female offspring indicated that the M. separata egg is a suitable host for the three Trichogramma species. On the other hand, the non‐emergence rate and the relationship between egg load and body size reflected that M. separata eggs are less suitable for the three Trichogramma species than C. cephalonica eggs. Egg resorption occurred in T. japonicum 4 days after emergence.     

Effects of host-egg ages on host selection and suitability of four Chinese Trichogramma species,egg parasitoids of the rice striped stem borer,Chilo suppressalis

The striped stem borer, Chilo suppressalis (Walker), is one of the most economically important rice pests worldwide. However, biological control of this pest using natural-enemy insects has been rarely documented to date. With the objective of screening suitable candidate species for controlling the striped stem borer, we investigated the effect of the age of host eggs on the host selection and suitability by four indigenous Trichogramma species on their native host, C. suppressalis. The results indicated that the differently aged eggs of C. suppressalis were all accepted by T. japonicum, T. dendrolimi and T. chilonis, and there was a clear tendency to parasitize older eggs less under no-choice and choice conditions. The number of parasitized host eggs by T. ostriniae also decreased with the increasing host age in the no-choice test, but more 2-day-old host eggs were parasitized in the choice test. When 0-, 2-day-old eggs were offered, T. dendrolimi, T. japonicum and T. chilonis exhibited similar parasitism ability, whereas T. ostriniae appeared to have a stronger ability to attack the older host eggs (4-day-old). Trichogramma japonicum developed and emerged on parasitized C. suppressalis eggs of all ages tested, while showing a better adaptation to younger host eggs with significantly faster developmental time, higher survival and more female progeny on 0-day-old eggs. No adults for each of the other three Trichogramma species emerged from parasitized 4-day-old host eggs, and they had similar developmental time, survival and female progeny on parasitized 0-, 2-day-old host eggs with an exception of female progeny for T. chilonis. On 0-day-old host eggs, T. japonicum developed faster and T. ostriniae had lower progeny survival than the other three Trichogramma species evaluated, respectively. The current study provides useful information to select suitable Trichogramma species for controlling the striped stem borer, C. suppressalis.     

The Effectiveness of Trichogramma chilonis,Trichogramma pretiosum and Trichogramma brasiliense (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) as Parasitoids of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and Redgram (Cajanus cajan)

The performance of three species of trichogrammatids on the pest, Helicoverpa armigera was evaluated in the laboratory and screenhouse conditions in Karnataka, India during 1996-97. Laboratory studies indicated that Trichogramma chilonis and Trichogramma pretiosum were more effective parasitoids of H. armigera than Trichogramma brasiliense. In screenhouse conditions, T. chilonis was the most effective parasitoid of H. armigera eggs on sunflower plants in comparison to the other two trichogrammatid species. When releasing 50?000 per ha on sunflower and redgram, T. chilonis parasitised 50.1 and 11.4% H. armigera eggs, respectively. The position of H. armigera eggs on different plant parts of sunflower had no effect on parasitism by T. chilonis. However, parasitism by the same trichogrammatid among different plant parts of redgram varied significantly. It parasitized 43.4 and 18.7% H. armigera eggs on leaves and flowers, respectively, and significantly fewer, 3.9%, on pods (P<0.05). The growth stage of redgram plants also had an effect on parasitism by T. chilonis, parasitism being extremely low on plants with pods.     

Trichogramma parasitoids for control of Lepidopteran borers in Taiwan: species,life‐history traits and Wolbachia infections

Trichogramma, polyphagous endoparasitoids of lepidopteran eggs, are used against a variety of crop pests throughout the world including those of sugar cane and corn in south‐eastern Asia. Their ability to be easily and economically reared on factitious hosts and their wide host range have contributed to their widespread use in pest control. The overall aim of this study was to select strains for eventual release in crop areas for control of lepidopteran borer pests of sugar cane and corn. To this end, we identified common Trichogramma species emerging from corn borer egg masses throughout south‐western Taiwan, compared their life‐history characteristics, assessed their thermal limits and identified the Wolbachia infection status of collected Trichogramma parasitoids. Trichogramma ostriniae was the most commonly collected species on corn, with occasional detection of T. chilonis and an unidentified species designated as T. sp. y. Although the sex ratio varied widely between sites, Wolbachia infection was detected only at a single site in one species (T. ostriniae). Wolbachia‐infected T. ostriniae were tolerant to high temperature stress. Trichogramma chilonis had lowest fecundity of the three species tested, and a Wolbachia‐infected T. ostriniae strain had lower fecundity than an uninfected strain. Given the limited availability of distribution and historical data for Trichogramma species in Taiwan, the current study provides a baseline for future work and also highlights the importance of accurately identifying species when establishing colonies of natural enemies for biocontrol.     

Importance of host oviposition pattern and plant size for the selection of Trichogramma strains to control the diamondback moth

The aim of this work was to select a candidate strain of Trichogrammatidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) to control the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), an important pest of cabbage in Europe. The parasitic efficiency of Trichogramma chilonis Ishii from Japan and Réunion Island, Trichogramma evanescens Westwood from Egypt, Trichogramma ostriniae Pang & Chen from Japan, and Trichogramma semblidis (Aurivillius) from France was studied with sentinel eggs in greenhouse‐grown cauliflower. The percentage of parasitized eggs was measured 1 m from the release point and 3 days after release. Two factors were studied: host‐egg density (three eggs per stem vs. 50 eggs per stem) and plant size (50–100 cm high plants vs. 100–150 cm high plants). Trichogramma evanescens from Egypt achieved the best parasitism. Parasitism efficiency of T. ostriniae from Japan and T. chilonis from Réunion Island was not influenced by egg density. In contrast, parasitism efficiencies of the three other strains were higher at the lower egg density than at the higher egg density. Parasitism efficiency was lower when the plants were bigger, with the exception of T. chilonis from Réunion Island, for which the level of parasitism was not affected by plant size. Thus, T. chilonis from Réunion Island appeared to be the most suitable Trichogramma strain for use in controlling P. xylostella, regardless of the growth stage of the crop. However, T. ostriniae from Japan may also be more suitable for use on cauliflower crops at the early stage of crop development. If potential problems related to the introduction of exotic species are taken into consideration, it is possible to consider the native T. evanescens.     

Evaluation of an endosulfan tolerant strain of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichogramma chilonis</Emphasis> on cotton

The performance of an endosulfan tolerant strain of Trichogramma chilonis Ishii was evaluated against Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) eggs on cotton plants in a net house. Under pesticide pressure, the tolerant strain could provide significantly higher parasitism in comparison to the susceptible strain. The parasitoid adult emergence was also significantly higher in the treatment with the tolerant strain in comparison to the susceptible strain, when parasitoids were released within 3 days of endosulfan spraying. Release of the tolerant strain of T. chilonis in conjunction with endosulfan spray application resulted in significantly higher pest mortality in comparison to the endosulfan treatment or release of T. chilonis alone. It could be inferred from the results that T. chilonis should be released only 3 days after endosulfan spray application as during the first 3 days after the spraying, endosulfan provided the required protection and adversely affected the performance of the parasitoid.     

繁殖寄主对赤眼蜂羧酸酯酶和乙酰胆碱酯酶的影响

通过测定赤眼蜂Trichogramma羧酸酯酶和乙酰胆碱酯酶的活性、对底物的亲和力以及对抑制剂的敏感度研究了繁殖寄主对松毛虫赤眼蜂T.dendrolimi和螟黄赤眼蜂T.chilonis的影响。柞蚕卵和米蛾卵繁殖的赤眼蜂羧酸酯酶对底物的亲和力有不同程度的影响,柞蚕卵繁殖的赤眼蜂羧酸酯酶对α-乙酸萘酯或β-乙酸萘酯的亲和力最高是米蛾卵的2倍以上。繁殖寄主对乙酰胆碱酯酶对底物亲和力没有明显的影响。米蛾卵繁殖的松毛虫赤眼蜂羧酸酯酶活性明显高于柞蚕卵繁殖的种群,而米蛾卵繁殖的螟黄赤眼蜂种群羧酸酯酶的活性明显低于柞蚕卵繁殖的种群。用柞蚕卵繁殖的松毛虫赤眼蜂种群对对氧磷的敏感度明显低于米蛾卵繁殖的种群,而增效磷则正好相反。繁殖寄主对松毛虫赤眼蜂吉林种群乙酰胆碱酯酶对DDVP和毒扁豆碱的敏感度没有明显的影响,而在松毛虫赤眼蜂广东种群和螟黄赤眼蜂中,柞蚕卵繁殖的种群乙酰胆碱酯酶对DDVP和毒扁豆碱的敏感度明显低于米蛾卵繁殖的种群。     

Host age and host selection byTrichogramma nubilale

Selection byTrichogramma nubilale (Ertle & Davis) for different aged egg masses ofOstrinia nubilalis (Hübner) was examined by separating components of parasitism. FemaleT. nubilale were exposed to egg masses of 2 different ages (freshly laid egg masses versus 1, 2, 3 or 4 day old egg masses), and the age of the initial egg mass inspected, number and percent of eggs and egg masses parasitized, and the emergence rate of pharate parasitoids was recorded. When there was a large difference in age between young and old egg masses, ♀♀ inspected initially more young egg masses (>2 days difference), parasitized a greater percent of young egg masses (>2 days difference), and parasitized more eggs/parasitized egg mass in young egg masses (>3 days difference) than old egg masses. Females did not discriminate between host age when hosts were similar in age. Successful emergence of parasitoids was greater from younger eggs than older eggs, although emergence was better from one-day-old eggs than from fresh eggs. These results imply that when the hosts were sufficiently different in age, ♀♀ were attracted to younger egg masses more than older egg masses, and they tended to remain ovipositing for longer periods of time on younger egg masses than older egg masses. Moreover, ♀♀ appeared to prefer to oviposit in hosts in which their young are more likely to complete development.      

Assessment ofTrichogramma species for biological control of forest lepidopteran defoliators

In a laboratory study, we determined the potential of threeTrichogramma (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) species,T. brassicae Bezdenko,T. minutum Riley andT. nr.sibiricum Sorokina, for biological control against six species of forest lepidopteran pests, black army cutworm, hemlock looper, eastern spruce budworm, western spruce budworm, white-marked tussock moth, and gypsy moth. Females of each parasitoid species were offered eggs from each of the six host species. Parasitization and the effect of the host species on the emerging progeny were examined and recorded.Trichogramma minutum had the broadest host range and successfully parasitized four host species out of the six offered.Trichogramma nr.sibiricum had the narrowest host range and parasitized only two species of hosts. Of the six host species, black army cutworm was the most preferred by all threeTrichogramma species; white-marked tussock moth and gypsy moth were not parasitized by any parasitoids. There was a positive correlation between the size of female offspring and their corresponding egg complement in all three parasitoid species. The developmental time of parasitoids from egg to adult was influenced by both the parasitoid and host species. Our results suggest thatT. minutum has the greatest potential for biological control against various forest lepidopteran pests and that the black army cutworm may be the best target candidate for further study.     

Host performance of Trichogramma species on Opisina arenosella,and evaluation of their biological control efficacy

Five candidate species for biocontrol of Opisina arenosella Walker, a destructive pest of palm trees, were evaluated. To compare host performance, 5 Trichogramma species were allowed to parasitize O. arenosella eggs of different ages and egg densities. The parasitization capacity of two species, T. embryophagum and T. japonicum, were evaluated with respect to adult age. Treatments consisted of field with releases of T. embryophagum or T. japonicum set up in Danzhou, Hainan, and the pest densities was recorded periodically. The results showed that T. embryophagum, T. chilonis, and T. dendrolimi had a strong parasitic ability on 0-day-old O. arenosella eggs. In species comparisons, the parasitism rates of T. embryophagum on 1-day-old and 4-day-old eggs, and T. japonicum on 2-day-old, 3-day-old, and 5-day-old eggs of O. arenosella were significantly higher than those of other Trichogramma species. At densities of 40 and 35 eggs/tube (84.8 cm³), the numbers of eggs parasitized by T. embryophagum and T. japonicum were the highest, at 29.9 and 24.6, respectively. During the first 24-h, the numbers of eggs parasitized by T. embryophagum and T. japonicum were 110.6 and 82.2, accounting for 84.7% and 59.5%, respectively, of the total parasitized eggs. After 2 months releases, the larvae and pupa density of O. arenosella under T. embryophagum and T. japonicun treatment were 0.95 and 0.94 individuals/leaflet, respectively, were significantly lower than untreated control (1.6 individuals/leaflet). These findings encouraged that T. embryophagum and T. japonicun are able to be used for biological control for O. arenosella.     

Efficiency,intrinsic competition and interspecific host discrimination of Copidosoma desantisi and Trichogramma evanescens,two parasitoids of Phthorimaea operculella

Trichogramma evanescens West. (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) and Copidosoma desantisi Annecke & Mynhardt (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) are potential parasitoids of the potato tuber moth (PTM), Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Egypt. Discrimination of a parasitized host from an unparasitized host would prevent wasting of time, eggs and reduce competition with conspecifics or heterospecifics. Therefore, we evaluated interspecific host discrimination, multiparasitism and intrinsic competition between the two wasp species. In a choice test, females of T. evanescens showed high interspecific host discrimination only when they were offered 2-day-old C. desantisi parasitized and unparasitized PTM eggs. In contrast, C. desantisi showed high host discrimination and preferred unparasitized eggs to PTM eggs harboring 2-h- or 2-day-old T. evanescens’ eggs. We also evaluated the effect of different introduction sequences on the efficacy of the two wasps. Dissection data indicated that the two parasitoids had a negative impact on each other. There was a significant reduction in the total number of deposited eggs as well as total number of parasitized hosts by each parasitoid. Regarding the rearing experiment, the total number of T. evanescens-induced black eggs or C. desantisi formed mummies in combined treatments was significantly lower than in single parasitoid treatments (control). Moreover, C. desantisi was inferior and did not develop from any multiparasitized host regardless of oviposition order. It was suggested that combined release of the two wasps would not elevate rate of parasitism over that of single parasitoid treatments and competition between them would reduce their efficacy.     

松毛虫卵期几种寄生蜂的共寄生现象及其对寄生率的影响

松毛虫赤跟蜂 Trichogramma dendrolimi Matsumura 白跗平腹Pseudanastatusalbitarsis Ashmead松毛虫宽缘金小蜂Pachyneuron olitarium(Harig), 松毛虫黑卵蜂 Telenomus dendrolimusi Chu和大蛾卵跳小蜂Ooenvyrtus Kuwanae(Howard)是松毛虫卵期几种主要寄生蜂。通过对上述几种寄生蜂寄生习性的研究表明：赤眼蜂和平腹小蜂不但能寄生新鲜害虫卵,还可以寄生对方已寄生并巳发育1-3天的寄生卵,但羽化串均不高;松毛虫宽缘金小蜂不寄生新鲜害虫卵,专门寄生赤眼蜂寄生后巳发育1-7,天的寄生卵,其中又以赤眼蜂发育3-5天的卵寄生串和羽化率为最高。除赤眼蜂和平腹小蜂可以混合使用外,其它蜂种混用都不同程度地存在相互排挤的现象。如果先让平腹小蜂寄生尔后再让赤眼蜂寄生或先让赤眼蜂寄生,尔后再让跳小蜂或黑卵蜂寄生,能够提高卵块寄生串和充分发挥各自天敌的作用。     

Effect of different cold storage periods on parasitization performance of Trichogramma cacoeciae (Hymenoptera,Trichogrammatidae) on eggs of Ephestia kuehniella (Lepidoptera,Pyralidae)

The parasitism rates by Trichogramma cacoeciae Marchal (Hymenoptera, Trichogrammatidae) using Ephestia kuehniella Zell. (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae) eggs held at 0, 4 and 8°C and for up to 31 days was measured. Parasitism was lowest on eggs held at 8°C and highest on eggs held at 0°C. The highest parasitism, 97.8%, was measured for parasitoids attacking eggs held for 3 days and stored at 0°C. Parasitism of eggs stored at all three temperatures decreased with increasing duration of storage. The number of T. cacoeciae successfully developing and emerging as adults after storage in E. kuehniella eggs held at 0, 4 and 8°C was measured. Parasitoid emergence was >83% from E. kuehniella eggs stored at 8°C for 3 weeks. Storage at 0°C caused a significant decline in parasitoid emergence after 2 weeks (P<0.05). Storage at 0°C for more than 4 weeks reduced fecundity by 50%. T. cacoeciae parasitized the highest number of E. kuehniella eggs 1 day after adult emergence. The oviposition period lasted 6–7 days, although the parasitoids lived up to 13–14 days. Impact of storage time and temperature on parasitism rates by T. cacoeciae stored while in E. kuehniella eggs was measured. As storage time and temperature increased, subsequent parasitism rates of resulting adult T. cacoeciae decreased. Eggs of E. kuehniella can be stored at 0°C for up to 31 days. Trichogramma cacoeciae developing in eggs of E. kuehniella can be stored at 4°C for up to 5 weeks prior to release.     

Effect of insecticides on the emergence ofTrichogramma Brasiliensis [Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae] from parasitized host eggs

The effect of 9 insecticides recommended for the control of cotton bollworms was studied, under laboratory conditions, on the emergence ofTrichogramma brasiliensis Ashmead from the parasitized eggs ofCorcyra cephalonica (Stainton) of different age groups. The insecticide concentrations tested were equivalent to those recommended for field application viz. phenthoate 0.14%, phosalone 0.15%, endosulfan 0.25%, permethrin 0.014%, monocrotophos 0.13%, fenvalerate 0.014%, cypermethrin 0.014%, fenitrothion 0.30% and quinalphos 0.14%, quinalphos and fenitrothion caused complete inhibition of emergence of the parasitoid from parasitized host eggs of all ages (1 to 7 days); but in general, adverse effect of insecticides on the disruption of emergence decreased with the advancement in the age of the parasitized eggs. For 1 day old parasitized host eggs, emergence ofT. brasiliensis adults varied from 33 to 57% for the remaining 7 treatments. For the 7 days old parasitized host eggs, emergence of parasitoids from the treatments with endosulfan, phosalone and phenthoate was similar to that from control. However, 46 to 59% inhibition of emergence was observed for permethrin, monocrotophos and cypermethrin. Fenvalerate treatment also significantly inhibited the emergence but at a comparatively lower level (40%). Out of 9 insecticides tested, phosalone and fenvalerate were considered to be relatively safe toT. brasiliensis.      

Sex allocation and effects of superparasitism on secondary sex ratios in the gregarious parasitoid, Trichogramma chilonis (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

The role of sex-controlling behaviour at oviposition in generating primary sex ratios, and the effect of larval competition on secondary sex ratios, were studied in the gregarious endoparasitoid, Trichogramma chilonis. The production of a fertilized (female) egg is indicated by the incorporation of a pause in abdominal movements during oviposition, while the absence of it indicates the production of an unfertilized (male) egg. During each ovipositional bout, the first male egg is deposited at the second oviposition, and thereafter at intervals of about eight eggs. This simple pattern enables the wasps to adjust their progeny sex ratios under local male competition to a wide range of host size. Inexperienced wasps do not distinguish between parasitized and healthy hosts. Immature mortality is not significantly different between the sexes when a host is attacked by a single wasp, while females suffer higher immature mortality than males when superparasitism occurs.     

Oviposition and reproductive performance of a generalist parasitoid (Trichogramma pretiosum) exposed to host species that differ in their physical characteristics

The response of generalist egg parasitoids to alternative natural hosts that are present simultaneously is not well known. We investigated the behavior of Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) in relation to two field hosts Helicoverpa armigera Hübner and Spodoptera litura Fabricius, in choice and no choice tests. We quantified the effects of natal host species and post-emergence adult age on the oviposition preference of the parasitoids. H. armigera eggs were consistently preferred over S. litura eggs, regardless of the natal host and adult age. When only S. litura eggs were available as hosts, they were parasitized at statistically similar rates to H. armigera eggs (average of 17 ± 2.7 vs. 13 ± 3.0, H. armigera to S. litura). The adult lifespan and lifetime fecundity of T. pretiosum were variable but were affected by natal host species and/or host species to which they were exposed. Mean lifespan and fecundity of parasitoids that had developed in H. armigera eggs and were exposed to H. armigera eggs for oviposition were 13.9 ± 1.8 days and 98.7 ± 11.0 adult offspring. By contrast, those that developed in S. litura eggs and were exposed to S. litura eggs for oviposition lived for 7 ± 0.9 days and produced 53.8 ± 8.0 adult offspring. The ovigeny index (OI) was significantly lower in the parasitoids exposed to H. armigera eggs than in those exposed to S. litura eggs, regardless of the natal host, indicating that H. armigera eggs sustain the adult parasitoids better than S. litura eggs. These results are used to predict parasitoid behavior in the field when both hosts are available.     

Age and parasitism status of Tuta absoluta eggs alter the foraging responses of the predator Nabis pseudoferus

We studied the effect of Trichogramma brassicae Bezdenko (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) parasitism of Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) eggs on the foraging behavior of Nabis pseudoferus Remane (Hemiptera: Nabidae) feeding on T. absoluta eggs of different ages. Older parasitized eggs (48–72 h old) were rejected after probing with the probosis. A separate experiment showed that probing did not harm developing parasitoids. Bugs greatly reduced their feeding times on older parasitized eggs and spent more time grooming and probing eggs and leaves. Predators exhibited a type III functional response to 24 h-old eggs, but a type II response to older eggs, whether parasitized or not. 24 h-old eggs suffered higher attack rates, and required less handling time than older eggs. Although the predatory efficiency of N. pseudoferus was reduced in the presence of parasitized eggs, the partial refuge enjoyed by T. brassicae in older eggs may permit an additive impact on the pest, and should facilitate the joint augmentation of both species against T. absoluta.

     

Host preference: parasitism, emergence and development of Trissolcus semistriatus (Hym., Scelonidae) in various host eggs

Abstract: Trissolcus semistriatus is an important egg parasitoid of the sunn bug, Eurygaster integriceps. Conservation and the supportive augmentation of populations of egg parasitoids appears to offer high potential for the biological control of sunn bug in an integrated pest management system. The present study was conducted to determine the host preference of T. semistriatus on various heteropteran host eggs. When each host species was examined separately, the eggs of E. integriceps, Dolycoris baccarum, Graphosoma lineatum, Carpocoris pudicus and Holcostethus vernalis, were parasitized at high levels, namely 88.0, 83.6, 94.8, 87.3 and 80.8%, respectively, whereas a smaller portion of Eurydema ornatum eggs were parasitized (24.0%). There was no parasitism in Nezara viridula eggs by T. semistriatus. Similar high rates were recorded for the percentage of adult emergence in each host species, with the exception of E. ornatum. The average development time was shorter for males than for females. The average development period for both male and female was significantly longer in eggs of E. ornatum than in those of the other host species. These results and observations recorded during the experiments showed that G. lineatum and D. baccarum were available, cheap hosts and it was demonstrated that these hosts could be used for the mass production of egg parasitoids.     

Aerodynamic separation of parasitised from unparasitised insect host eggs

Aerodynamic sorting of host eggs exposed to Trichogramma egg parasitoids improved the percentage parasitism of retained product. Losses of parasitised eggs declined as percentage parasitism of the unsorted eggs increased. Trichogramma eclosion from parasitised eggs was similar for the unsorted and retained fractions; emergence from the parasitised culls was significantly lower.