Cold storage-mediated rearing of Trichogramma evanescens Westwood on eggs of Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) and Galleria mellonella L.

Abstract

The egg parasitoid Trichogramma evanescens Westwood is considered as an efficient biological control agent for managing several lepidopteran pests and it is widely distributed throughout the world. Mass rearing protocols of parasitoids that are currently in use in biocontrol programs require a meticulous quality control plan, in order to optimize their efficacy, but also their progeny production capacity. In this paper, the effect of different factors on the quality control in mass rearing of T. evenescens, using Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) and Galleria mellonella L. as host species, were investigated. The impact of egg agewas significant in the rates of parasitism, for both host species tested. Significantly highest percent of parasitoid emergence was noticed in two day-old eggs for both host species, while one day-old eggs day exhibited the maximum emergence when both species were used togetherin the same trials. Age-dependent storage egg preservation at either 4 or 9°C significantly influenced the parasitism percentages on both species. The highest parasitism percentage was recorded in two day-old G. mellonella eggs that are kept for 15 days at 9°C while the lower in one day-old P. interpunctella eggs for 60 d storage. Moreover, the highest parasitoid mortality was recorded in T. evanescens reared either on P. interpunctella or G. mellonella at 20°C. Rearing of the parasitoid on a mixture of eggs of both host species resulted in higher parasitism, but not always in higher rates of parasitoid emergence. The results of the present work provide useful information that can be further utilized in rearing protocols of T. evanescens.

Cold storage of Spodoptera litura eggs and Telenomus remus adults for improving mass‐rearing efficiency

“…The operation of mass production systems is often complicated by the asynchronous production cycles of parasitoid/predator, host/prey and the host/prey food source (Parra, 2010). With an egg parasitoid, continuously supplying sufficient host eggs at appropriate times is an essential component in production protocols (Haque et al., 2021). Appropriate storage methods for host eggs are thus crucial for successful parasitoid mass production and biological control programmes in the field.…”

“…Appropriate storage methods for host eggs are thus crucial for successful parasitoid mass production and biological control programmes in the field. When host is produced excessively during periods of low parasitoid demands in field, the result is increased production costs and waste, while the biological control programme can be hindered or even fail if insufficient host is available during periods of high parasitoid demand (Colinet & Boivin, 2011; Haque et al., 2021; Spínola‐Filho et al., 2014). In addition, cold storage of the parasitized eggs or the emerged adults themselves can address the problem of the short longevity of parasitoid adults, extending their shelf life and improving their availability.…”

“…With an egg parasitoid, continuously supplying sufficient host eggs at appropriate times is an essential component in production protocols (Haque et al, 2021). Appropriate storage methods for host eggs are thus crucial for successful parasitoid mass production and biological control programmes in the field.…”

Studies of certain parameters affecting two parasitoid species, Trichogramma evanescens Westwood and Trichogrammatoidea bactrae Nagaraja (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), on egg host, Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) (Gelechiidae: Lepidoptera)

“…Lessard and Boivin (2013) observed negative effects on F1 progeny, where the period of cold storage host eggs increased the F1 emergence rate decreased. Age-dependent storage egg kept at either 4 or 9 °C was significantly influenced the parasitism percentages of Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) eggs by T. evanescens (Haque et al 2021).…”

Biologi ngengat Galleria mellonella (Linn.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) pada beberapa jenis pakan buatan

“…Ngengat G. mellonella selain berperan sebagai hama pada peternakan lebah juga telah dimanfaatkan sebagai serangga uji maupun sebagai inang alternatif pada beberapa bidang. Telur G. mellonella digunakan sebagai inang alternatif untuk mempelajari pengaruh suhu penyimpanan terhadap kelangsungan hidup dan tingkat parasitisme Trichogramma evenescens Westwood (Haque et al 2021). Larva G. mellonella juga digunakan sebagai media perbanyakan nematoda entomopatogen (Metwally et al 2012), serangga uji terhadap pengembangan biomedikal terhadap mikroba patogen, seperti bakteri Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, dan cendawan Candida albicans (Mikulak et al 2018;Jorjao et al 2018), serta dalam penelitian Rasyid et al (2018) melaporkan bahwa larva ngengat lilin berpotensi sebagai agens biodegradable limbah plastik.…”