Development of an artificial host egg for in vitro egg laying of Trichogramma galloi and T. pretiosum using plastic membranes

An artificial host egg was developed as a first attempt to improve the techniques for in vitro rearing of Trichogramma galloi Zucchi and T. pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera, Trichogrammatidae). Plastic membranes (polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene) of different thickness were tested for their usefulness in manufacturing artificial eggs, using a thermal system to produce semi-spherical cupules on the plastic surface. These artificial eggs were filled with larval hemolymph of Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), and the optimal size of the artificial egg and density of females/artificial egg for the highest host acceptance (percentage of artificial eggs with at least one parasitoid egg) as well as the ideal level of parasitism (eggs/artificial egg) were determined. High-density polyethylene 7–8 and 9–10 m thick resulted in the best acceptance and level of parasitization for both parasitoid species. Six females per artificial egg resulted in the best rate of parasitization for these parasitoids, although these data were not different when using 4 or 5 females of T. galloi. The size, shape and surface texture of the artificial eggs were found to provide enough cues to elicit parasitization behavior in Trichogramma females, since no chemical stimulus was provided.