Temperature influences walking speed and walking activity of Trichogramma brassicae (Hym., Trichogrammatidae)

Walking speeds and walking activities (walking time divided by total time) of Trichogramma brassicae were determined at 12, 16, 20 and 25°C. Walking speed was measured during a 5-min period, and walking activity over a 4-day period. Both walking speed and walking activity were strongly influenced by temperature. Walking speed increased linearly with the temperature and was twice as high at 20 as at 12°C. At 25°C, walking activity was high during the whole day, at 20 and 16°C it decreased during the afternoon, whereas at 12°C the wasps became most active only at noon or later. At low temperatures, there was a strong individual variation in walking activity. At 25°C, T. brassicae was active most of the time, so the area searched per time unit can only increase at temperatures above 25°C if walking speed increases. At temperatures below 20°C, searching was more restricted by low walking activity than by low walking speed. Even disregarding other effects of temperature, the reduction in walking speed and walking activity at suboptimal temperatures means that T. brassicae can only search half of the area at 20°C, and only one-seventh at 15°C that it can search at 25°C.     

Effects of repeated thermic and antibiotic treatments on a Trichogramma (Hym., Trichogrammatidae) symbiont

Each individual of all populations of the thelytokous species Trichogramma cordubensis is infected by Wolbachia . Populations are composed of females, a few rare males and some intersexual or gynandromorphic individuals often capable of normal reproduction as females. Antibiotic (minocycline) and high temperature (30°C) treatments inactivate Wolbachia and induce male production. After these treatments, the sex ratio depending on the remaining frequency of thelytoky shows a genetic variability. Effect of cycles with and without treatments (minocycline or 30°C) on the thelytokous reproduction of 'individuals' (one 'individual' being one Trichogramma + n Wolbachia ) was studied. The resistance of thelytokous reproduction to 30°C but not to minocycline, probably due to Wolbachia genes, increased. It is concluded that potentialities of adaptation to high temperature exist in Wolbachia and can explain a part of the spreading of these symbionts among host populations.     

Diapause induction in Trichogramma embryophagum Htg. (Hym., Trichogrammatidae): the dynamics of thermosensitivity

It is known that the low temperature is the most important factor inducing the pre-pupal diapause in Trichogramma species. The position of the thermosensitive period over the life cycle and temporal variation of the degree of responsiveness were investigated in T. embryophagum Htg. by transferring pre-imaginal stages between 'neutral' temperature of 15°C and 'diapause-inducing' temperature of 10°C. Our experiments showed that 6 days long exposure at 10°C significantly increased the percentage of diapausing pre-pupae when started during rather large part of development: from embryo up to early pre-pupa. The highest thermosensitivity was recorded during the embryo and the larval stages, with some decrease during the hatching period. Treatments with shorter cold exposures (2–3 days) gave similar results. Even 24 h long exposure at 10°C increased the percentage of diapausing pre-pupae when applied during egg or early larval stage. Being started at the same stage of development, longer cold exposures caused stronger increase in the percentage of diapausing individuals. The experiments did not reveal any significant daily changes in thermosensitivity: at 12 : 12 h light : dark, larvae subjected to the low temperature during six photophases showed practically the same percentage of diapausing individuals as those subjected to the low temperature during six scotophases, and as those subjected to the 3 days long uninterrupted cold exposure. Hence, in natural conditions even occasional short-term cold periods could be accumulated.     

Kairomonal effect of some saturated hydrocarbons on the egg parasitoids, Trichogramma brasiliensis (Ashmead) and Trichogramma exiguum, Pinto, Platner and Oatman (Hym., Trichogrammatidae)

Abstract: Bioassay studies carried out on the egg parasitoids Trichogramma brasiliensis and T. exiguum with 11 straight chain‐saturated hydrocarbons, revealed that pentacosane and hexacosane recorded very high parasitoid activity index (PAI) and parasitism for both the parasitoids indicating high kairomonal activity. These were followed by docosane, tricosane, heneicosane, hexatriacontane and tetracosane, which may be grouped as favourable hydrocarbons showing varying levels of kairomonal activity for T. brasiliensis, as compared to eicosane, pentadecane, octacosane and heptadecane, which can be grouped as non‐favourable hydrocarbons. In the case of T. exiguum, pentacosane‐treated egg cards showed maximum parasitism followed by hexacosane, pentadecane, hexatriacontane, tricosane and docosane thereby indicating their kairomonal activity in comparison with heptadecane, tetracosane, eicosane, heneiocosane and octacosane which recorded low levels of parasitism. In the case of T. brasiliesnsis, tetracosane recorded the highest response at the lowest concentration, C₁ (62.5 ng/cm²), which decreased as the concentration increased. Eicosane, heneicosane and docosane recorded the highest parasitism at C₂ (125 ng/cm²). In heptadecane, tricosane, pentacosane and hexatriacontane the highest parasitism was recorded at the medium concentration, C₃ (250 ng/cm²). Octacosane recorded the highest response at C₄ (375 ng/cm²). Pentadecane and hexacosane‐treated egg cards showed their highest response at C₅ (500 ng/cm²). In the case of T. exiguum, the lowest concentration, C₁ evoked the highest response in hexacosane, whereas heptacosane, heneiocosane, docosane and tetracosane recorded the highest parasitism at C₂. Eicosane, pentacosane and octacosane recorded maximum parasitism, at C₃, whereas tricosane and hexatriacontane showed maximum parasitism at C₄ and pentadecane at C₅. These concentrations can be taken as the optimum concentration to increase parasitization by these parasitoids. The favourable hydrocarbons at their optimum concentration can be used for efficient management of these parasitoids in field releases.     

Survey of natural populations of Trichogramma (Hym., Trichogrammatidae) in the vineyards of Alsace (France)

Activity of Trichogramma , assessed by trapping with host-eggs, was observed as early as April and continued until October in the vineyards and their surrounding biotops. Trichogramma showed the greatest activity in April-May, July and September. Parasitized eggs were found before the main laying period of the first generation of the grapevine moths Lobesia botrana Den. and Schiff. and Eupoecilia ambiguella Hb. Four native species, Trichogramma cacoeciae Marchal, Trichogramma daumalae Dugast and Voegelé, Trichogramma evanescens Westwood and Trichogramma principium Sugonjaev and Sorokina were found.     

The side-effects of pesticides used in integrated production of peaches in Brazil on the egg parasitoid Trichogramma cacoeciae Marchal (Hym., Trichogrammatidae)

Abstract: The side‐effects of six pesticides used on peaches in Brazil were tested on the hymenopteran egg parasitoid Trichogramma cacoeciae using four laboratory tests: (a) adult parasitoid exposure to fresh pesticide residue on glass plates (worse case); (b) direct spray of host eggs enclosing the parasitoid egg, larvae or pupae (less‐exposed life stages); (c) exposure of adults to pesticide residues on plant leaves at different intervals after application (persistence); (d) Dose–response pesticide exposures of adults on glass plates. Two dose rates were used: (1) The highest recommended field dosage (FD) and (2) the predicted initial environmental concentrations (PIEC). The results showed that the preparations greatly differed in their initial toxicity and persistence. The insecticide Valient^® (methoxyphenozide) and the fungicide Venturol^® (dodine) were considered harmless to T. cacoeciae adults as they fell into the class 1 category according to the guidelines of the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC) when parasitoids were directly exposed to chemical residues. The insecticide/acaricide Assist^® (mineral oil) was slightly harmful at the rate of PIEC 0.4 (40% of FD) and moderately harmful at FD. Pesticides in the categories harmless and moderately harmful can be considered for use in integrated pest management (IPM). The fungicide/acaricide Kumulus DF^® (sulphur) and the insecticides Dipterex^® 500 (triclorfon) and Lebaycid^® 500 (fenthion) were harmful at both concentrations. In the persistence test, Assist^® was short lived and therefore may in special cases (i.e. reduced direct contact) be considered for use in IPM, but Kumulus^® DF, Dipterex^® 500 and Lebaycid^® 500 constantly reduced parasitism between 77 and 100% and were rated as persistent (more than 30 days). The direct spray of parasitized host eggs at intervals after parasitism showed that Assist^® and Kumulus^® DF were harmless to the parasitoid egg, larvae and pupae within the host eggs. Dipterex^® 500 was slightly harmful when sprayed one day after parasitism (parasitoid egg) and moderately harmful to the other two stages (larvae and pupae). Lebaycid^® 500 was harmful to the parasitoid egg and larvae and moderately harmful to the pupae. The dose–response test showed that Kumulus^® DF and Dipterex^® 500 were toxic to T. cacoeciae. Kumulus^® DF was harmful from 1 PIEC 0.4 to 0.125 PIEC 0.4 dosages and was slightly harmful with 0.0625 PIEC 0.4 dosage. Dipterex^® 500 was harmful to T. cacoeciae in all the dosages tested.     

Effects of cold shock on host egg parasitization by females of Trichogramma buesi Voegele (Hymenoptera, Trichogrammatidae)

The effects of cold shock (4°C for 18–24 h) on survival of Trichogramma buesi females, their fecundity, and the inclination to parasitize grain moth eggs were studied under laboratory conditions. Cold shock did not result in any significant change in the survival rate, whereas the fraction of females that parasitized grain moth eggs and the fecundity of these females slightly decreased. However, females which had already started oviposition before cold shock infested grain moth eggs much more frequently. In most insect species studied, cold shock results in a sharp decrease or even disruption of the effect of experience on the subsequent behavior. Thus, the results of this study suggest that “the effect of acquired experience” (a tendency to continue infestation of the particular host species) in Trichogramma females is based not on learning or not only on learning but on some other, possibly hormonal mechanisms.     

Strategic ejaculation in the egg parasitoid Trichogramma turkestanica (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

Abstract.  1. Several parameters influence sperm allocation by males, including their size and sperm stock, intra-specific variability, quality of females', as well as the risk and intensity of sperm competition.
2. Models predict that males should invest the maximum ejaculate size when sperm competition intensity is low. As sperm competition intensity increases, males should decrease the number of sperm transferred during mating.
3. This decrease in sperm transfer to females occurs because the benefits gained by males with each extra unit of expenditure on sperm decrease. When sperm supply is not unlimited, males could expect a better return by keeping some or all sperm for mating under lower competition intensity.
4. In this study, the ejaculate size of males that were kept in groups of one, five or 10 males prior to mating, has been investigated in the haplodiploid egg parasitoid Trichogramma turkestanica Meyer (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae).
5. As predicted by theory, the number of sperm transferred decreased significantly with an increase in the number of rivals.
6. This is the first study showing strategic sperm allocation depending on sperm competition intensity in a parasitoid.     

Fertility life table of Trichogramma pretiosum (Hym., Trichogrammatidae) in eggs of Tuta absoluta and Phthorimaea operculella (Lep., Gelechiidae) at different temperatures

Abstract: The aim of this work was to study the reproductive potential of Trichogramma pretiosum reared on Tuta absoluta and Phthorimaea operculella eggs through fertility life tables at different temperatures. The development cycle and the parasitization capacity of this parasitoid was determined in order to calculate the net reproductive rate ( R _o), the infinitesimal increase ratio ( r _m), the finite increase rate ( λ ) and the mean duration of the generation ( T ). The mean duration of one generation of T. pretiosum kept on both eggs was observed to show an inverse relation with the increase of temperature. The net reproduction rate varied according to the temperature variation for both species. The maximum increase in capacity of T. pretiosum on the first host ( T. absoluta ) was reached at 22°C and on the second host ( P. operculella ) between 22 and 25°C. The infinitesimal increase rate and the finite increase rate for both moths had a relationship with the increase of temperature ranging from 18 to 30°C. The highest value of λ for both moths occurred at 30 and 32°C according to the lesser duration of a generation.     

Behavioural study of plasticity in host preferences of Trichogramma maidis (Hym.: Trichogrammatidae)

Abstract. To test the relative importance of genetic and environmental factors in host preferences of Trichogramma maidis Pint. & Voeg., a polyphagous parasitoid, the oviposition behaviour was analysed on two host species: Anagasta kuehniella used for mass rearing) and Ostrinia nubilalis a target pest). Females were compared according to the species on which they had been reared, and to that on which they had an oviposition experience. To quantify an oviposition sequence, the most frequent behavioural succession was established for each experimental situation, individual sequences were then compared with this standard one to count the number of additional behaviours. An affinity coefficient positively related to host acceptance was then calculated from these additional behaviours. A preference for O.nubilalis versus A kuehniella appeared, but rearing on A. kuehniella enhanced the level of spontaneous affinity for this unnatural host. These initial preferences were modified by an oviposition experience: the affinity for a given host was higher after an oviposition on the same species, which suggests a female's ability to learn. This learning ability was higher on the non-preferred host, which led to an equivalent final parasitic performance on both hosts. Moreover, the learning ability was specific to a given host, since the oviposition on a given species did not provide any improvement in the level of affinity for the other species.     

Comparative life table analysis of Trichogramma bournieri Pintureau and Babault and Trichogramma sp. nr. mwanzai Schulten and Feijen (Hym., Trichogrammatidae) from Kenya

Abstract: Egg parasitoids of the genus Trichogramma (Hym., Chalcidoidea: Trichogrammatidae) have been successfully utilized for biocontrol of several lepidopteran pests world‐wide. Trichogramma bournieri Pintureau and Babault and Trichogramma sp. nr. mwanzai Schulten and Feijen, which are native to Kenya and recovered from Chilo partellus eggs, were compared with the aim of evaluating them for field releases in Kenya for the control of lepidopteran pests, particularly Helicoverpa armigera and Plutella xylostella in tomato and kale, respectively. Age‐specific life tables were constructed at the Institute for Biological Control (BBA), Darmstadt, Germany in 1999 using a cohort of 60 mated females each at 26 ± 1°C, 70 ± 10% relative humidity and 16 h light : 8 h dark photoperiod. The adult female performance and population growth statistics with associated standard errors were computed. There was no significant difference in adult longevity between selected strains of the two species. Trichogramma sp. nr. mwanzai showed significantly higher cumulative as well as daily mean fertility (75.97 and 18.11, respectively) compared with T. bournieri (47.83 and 13.24, respectively), and the respective proportion of female progenies were 52 and 72%. The intrinsic rate of natural increase was 0.309 and 0.306, while the net reproductive rate was 35.16 and 31.22 for T. sp. nr. mwanzai and T.bournieri strains, respectively. The study has also shown that there is no significant difference in the intrinsic rate of natural increase and the net reproductive rate between the two native species. In summary, there is difference between the two strains in their parasitization potential but not in population growth potential. Consequently, no preference can be given to one species when selecting for mass rearing purposes. Adult female performance is superior in T. sp. nr. mwanzai than in T. bournieri. Hence, the former strain should receive particular attention in future studies.     

Temperature effects on induction of parasitization by females of Trichogramma principium (Hymenoptera, Trichogrammatidae)

The effects of temperature on induction and stability of parasitization of less preferred factitious host (the Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella) eggs by Trichogramma principium females were studied under laboratory conditions. The percentage of parasitizing females at 15°C was significantly lower than that at 20, 25, and 30°C. At constant temperatures of 15, 20, 25, and 30°C, mean durations of pre-oviposition periods were 6.5, 2.1, 0.9, and 0.6 days, respectively (differences were significant between all regimens). In most of females, parasitization induced by high temperature (25°C) continued after the temperature decrease to 15°C. These results suggest that although emerged females are ready to lay eggs, rather prolonged pre-oviposition period may precede parasitization of less preferred hosts, and the duration of this period may depend on temperature.     

繁育寄主对稻螟赤眼蜂寄生行为及寄生能力的影响

【目的】繁育寄主影响赤眼蜂的生物学特性,为明确米蛾 Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton)卵繁育的稻螟赤眼蜂 Trichogramma japonicum Ashmead是否和二化螟Chilo suppressalis (Walker)卵繁育稻螟赤眼蜂在防治二化螟上有差别,及田间用米蛾卵作为稻螟赤眼蜂续代寄主的可行性,本实验观察了羽化自不同寄主的稻螟赤眼蜂的寄主选择和寄生行为,研究了两种繁育寄主对稻螟赤眼蜂寄生能力的影响,为田间防治水稻螟虫提供参考信息。【方法】室内利用选择试验观察了由米蛾卵和二化螟卵繁育出的稻螟赤眼蜂对两种寄主的选择趋性及在两种寄主上的寄生行为和寄生能力,统计了羽化子代蜂的寿命。【结果】由二化螟卵繁育的稻螟赤眼蜂表现出了对二化螟卵的选择偏好,而米蛾卵繁育的稻螟赤眼蜂在米蛾卵和二化螟卵间没有表现出寄主选择偏好。寄主搜寻时间不受繁育寄主及供试寄主的影响,卵表探测时间和穿刺及产卵时间不受繁育寄主的影响,但同一寄主繁育的稻螟赤眼蜂在米蛾卵上的卵表探测时间显著长于在二化螟卵上的卵表检测时间。除二化螟卵繁育蜂寄生二化螟卵时的寄生率（36.95%）和羽化率（45.68%）较低外,米蛾卵繁育蜂寄生米蛾卵或二化螟卵以及二化螟卵繁育蜂寄生米蛾卵等3组处理间的寄生率、羽化率均无显著差异,各处理组间子代蜂寿命也无显著差异。【结论】繁育寄主影响稻螟赤眼蜂的寄主选择和寄生能力,但不影响寄生蜂搜寻寄主的能力和寄生行为。     

Parasitization of potato tuber moth eggs (Lep., Gelechiidae) from irradiated adults by Trichogramma (Hym., Trichogrammatidae) and control of moth population with combined releases of sterile insect and egg parasitoid

Abstract:  Eggs of the potato tuber moth (PTM) Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) obtained from 150 or 300 Gy-irradiated moths, either inbred or out-crossed to untreated counterparts, were offered as host material to three generalist Trichogramma species; Trichogramma cacoeciae , Trichogramma evanescens , and Trichogramma principium , to determine the ability of these egg parasitoids to develop in F₁ sterile eggs. All eggs laid by the different parental crosses at 150 or 300 Gy, were acceptable and suitable for Trichogramma development. However, in no choice and paired comparison tests, eggs from 300 Gy-irradiated parents were significantly less preferred compared with eggs laid by non-irradiated moths. No intra-specific differences for PTM sterile eggs were recorded among the tested Trichogramma species. The mean number of wasps emerging from each egg types was not affected by an interaction between parental crosses and applied doses. Overall, this study demonstrates that release of irradiated and non-irradiated moths at a 5 : 1 over-flooding ratio and Trichogramma over potatoes in small plexiglass boxes, is complementary and more effective in reducing PTM F₁-emerged progeny than either technique used alone. The results provide baseline data for developing an integrated control approach by using inherited sterility technique in conjunction with Trichogramma for PTM population suppression.     

Influence of Diaphania hyalinata (L.) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) egg density on the parasitization capacity of Trichogramma exiguum Pinto & Platner and Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

The effects of the egg density of Diaphania hyalinata (L.) on several biological parameters of Trichogramma exiguum Pinto & Platner and T. pretiosum Riley were investigated. For that, 24h-old egg masses were isolated in glass tubes (15 replicates; 1 egg mass = 1 replicate), and offered to parasitization by a newly-emerged female of T. pretiosum or T. exiguum 24h at the proportion of one female to 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 eggs of D. hyalinata. The following parameters were evaluated: number of parasitized eggs, number of individuals per egg, viability and sex ratio. Trichogramma exiguum parasitized more eggs than T. pretiosum when more than 25 eggs were available per female. The percentage of emergence was satisfactory to T. pretiosum in densities up to 15 eggs/female and up to 20 eggs/female for T. exiguum. The number of individuals per egg was not statistically different in both species except in the density of 25 eggs/female. It can be concluded that T. exiguum performed better than T. pretiosum at larger clutch sizes, as T. exiguum parasitization capacity increased as a result of the size of the host clutch size.     

Long-term storage of sexual and asexual Trichogramma brassicae (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

The effect of exposure duration to pre-storage (representing fall conditions) and storage (representing winter conditions) temperatures on the emergence rate in sexual and asexual Trichogramma brassicae Bezdenko (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) was studied under controlled laboratory conditions. Asexual T. brassicae was infected by Wolbachia, an endosymbiont bacterium. We considered 0, 30, 40, 50 and 60 days as exposure duration at 10°C and 0, 30, 60, 90 followed by 180 days as exposure duration at 4°C for both T. brassicae strains. Emergence rate was significantly affected by the presence of Wolbachia, the duration of exposure to 10°C, the duration of storage at 4°C and their interactions, but not by the interaction between strain × storage duration at 4°C. Emergence rate of adults was positively correlated with exposure duration at 10°C, but it gradually decreased as the cold storage duration (4°C) increased in both strains. In conclusion, we are able to store both asexual and sexual strains for longer periods of time at 4°C, but the emergence rate of sexual T. brassicae was greater than asexual in all the treatments. The presence of Wolbachia could have a negative effect on fitness of T. brassicae and reduces its emergence rate after long-term storage.     

Evaluation of the efficacy of Trichogramma evanescens Westwood (Hym., Trichogrammatidae) inundative releases for the control of Maruca vitrata F. (Lep., Pyralidae)

Abstract: The bean podborer, Maruca vitrata (F.), is a serious pest on leguminous crops in the tropics. There are several natural enemies of M. vitrata present in the Philippines, but none of them suppress pest populations naturally below an economic threshold. The egg parasite Trichogramma evanescens Westwood is commercially available for augmentative biological control and a known parasite of podborer eggs. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of inundative releases of the egg parasite T. evanescens for controlling M. vitrata in the Philippines. In 1999 and 2000, controlled releases of T. evanescens were made in fields of yardlong bean, Vigna unguiculata, during the dry and rainy seasons in Central Luzon, Philippines. Adult populations of M. vitrata were monitored using light traps. Population density of M. vitrata was found to be positively correlated with rainfall and was subsequently higher during the rainy season, relative to that in the dry season. In quality control experiments, emergence of locally available T. evanescens was found to be highly variable between years, 72% in 1999 and 58% in 2000. The percentage of female parasites was 54% in both years. Survival of T. evanescens in the laboratory after 7 days was found to be only 29 and 21% in 1999 and 2000, respectively. Four parasite releases (each 150 000 wasps per hectare) spaced 7 days apart during the reproductive stage of V. unguiculata were made in three 5 × 5 m plots. Host finding efficacy was identified by exposing M. vitrata eggs laid on cowpea leaves in rearing chambers for 24 h in the fields. Percentage parasitism was higher during the dry season, relative to that in the rainy seasons. In release plots, parasitism increased by 53% during dry and by 43% during rainy season compared with control plots. Despite significant reductions in larval numbers during the dry season, no difference in percentages of pods damaged was found. In the rainy season, the number of larvae per plant and the percentage of pods damaged by M. vitrata larvae were not reduced by T. evanescens releases. The experimental results are critically discussed as a possible part of an integrated pest management system.     

Biological studies on two neotropical egg parasitoid species: Trichogramma nerudai and Trichogramma sp. (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

The main biological attributes of two Neotropical egg parasitoids, the arrhenotokous Trichogramma nerudai and the thelytokous Trichogramma sp., were assessed under controlled laboratory conditions. Developmental time from egg to adult, and parasitoid survival, fecundity and fertility were studied using life tables. Results showed that T. nerudai had a faster developmental time than Trichogramma sp. (13.014±0.4019 and 13.595±0.4931 days, respectively). Both species showed similar life table statistics, r_m was 0.222 and 0.225 for T. nerudai and Trichogramma sp., respectively. Parasitoid survival averaged 95% for both species. The results obtained are discussed in the context of selecting one of these natural enemies as a potential biological control agent for the European pine shoot moth Rhyacionia buoliana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in pine forests and the codling moth Cydia pomonella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in apple orchards in Argentina.