Biocontrol potential of Dinarmus basalis (Pteromalidae: Hymenoptera) Rondani as a parasitoid of Callosobruchus chinensis (L.) in stored pulse

摘要

The biocontrol potential of the pteromalid cosmopolitan ectoparasitoid Dinarmus basalis Rondani was investigated on pulse beetle Callosobruchus chinensis (L.), a major pest of stored chickpea. The parasitoid could easily recognize and parasitize the late and larger immature stages of hosts. The order of preference was fourth instar larva < pre-pupa < third instar larva < pupa. However, the parasitoid did not parasitize first and second instar host larva. The parasitism and suppressive efficiency of the parasitoid was consequently changed with the change of the density of the parasitoid. The percentage parasitism were 88.46 ± 0.64 and 99.25 ± 0.26 at 25 pairs of introduced parasitoids while 62.83 ± 1.35 and 77.05 ± 0.98 at 5 pairs during June-July and August-September, respectively. The suppression by the parasitoid over the hosts was 74.11 ± 0.72 and 82.86 ± 0.76 % at 5 pairs whereas 92.37 ± 0.32 and 99.21 ± 0.12 % at 25 pairs introduced in June-July and August-September, respectively.