Mass production and utilization of Trichogramma evanescens Westw. as a biocontrol agent against tomato rruit worm, Heliothis armigera Hb. in Egypt

摘要

The tomato-fruit worm, Heliothis armigera is the main insect pest infesting tomatoes, in the field, in the new reclaimed land around lake of Nasser in Aswan, Egypt. The larvae bores into the green fruits and cause considerable loss in the yield of tomatoes. The indiginous egg parasitoid, T. evanescens was mass produced on eggs of Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella and released against such a pest during 1996-1998. The parasitoid was released three times, at 2-week intervals, at a rate of 50,000/ha. The treated area was 70 ha in 1996, 600 ha in 1997 and 1500 ha in 1998. Parasitism % was nil in H. armigera eggs collected just before release while reached 73.7% one day post treatment. In 1997, an average of 76.5% reduction in infestation (injured fruits) was achieved as a result of releasing the parasitoid.