Assessment of Trichogramma species for biological control of forest lepidopteran defoliators

Abstract

In a laboratory study, we determined the potential of three Trichogramma (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) species, T. brassicae Bezdenko, T. minutum Riley and T. 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 three Trichogramma 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 that T. 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.

Adult feeding and mating effects on the biological potential and parasitism of Trichogramma pretiosum and T. acacioi (Hym.: Trichogrammatidae)

“…This would be probably prejudicial to the success of the biological control, mainly regarding to perennial crops. Moreover, the adult longevity of Trichogramma might vary with the host (Bai et al, 1995) or temperature which was normally inversely proportional to the longevity (Abbas, 1989;Maceda et al, 2003). Thus, it could be concluded that mated and fed females should be released for the biological control in the field against lepidopteran pests.…”

First record of parasitic wasp Trichogramma brassicae Bezdenko, 1968 (Hymenoptera, Trichogrammatidae) in Slovenia

“…, tudi masovno namnoževanje omenjenih parazitoidov z namenom ciljnega spuščanja na kmetijska zemljišča pa se v svetu pojavlja že skoraj 100 let (Eizaguirre et al, 1998;Lundgren in Heimpel, 2003). Parazitoidne ose iz omenjenega rodu so naravni sovražniki nekaterih škodljivcev vrtnin in poljščin, uporabne pa so lahko tudi pri zatiranju škodljivcev gozdnega drevja (Bai et al, 1995;Kuske et al, 2003). Vrste iz rodu Marchal, 1927(List of biological …, 2014.…”

Influência da idade dos ovos de Oxydia vesulia no parasitismo de Trichogramma maxacalii

“…Bai et al (1995) encontraram longevidades maiores em fêmeas descendentes de T. brassicae (Bezdenko) (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), T. minutum e T. nr. sibericum (Sorokina) (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), de 8,6 a 9,2 dias, 10,2 a 11, 7 dias e de 8,3 a 12,4 dias, respectivamente, dependendo do hospedeiro utilizado.…”