Biological characteristics of Telenomus alecto and Trichogramma galloi reared on eggs of the sugarcane borer Diatraea flavipennella

摘要

Biological characteristics of Telenomus alecto and Trichogramma galloi reared on eggs of the sugarcane borer Diatraea flavipennella. Diatraea flavipennella (Box) (Lepidoptera, Crambidae) is one of the most destructive pests in sugarcane plantations inthe Northeast Region of Brazil. Developmental characteristics and parasitism potential of the egg parasitoids Telenomus alecto Crawford (Hymenoptera, Scelionidae) and Trichogramma galloi Zucchi (Hymenoptera, Trichogrammatidae) were compared with the aimof selecting a suitable species for biological control of D. flavipennella. Both T. alecto and T. galloi developed well and were readily adapted to D. flavipennella eggs as host. Although, T. galloi presented higher viability, with more adults emergingper host egg and higher sex ratio, the developmental period (egg-adult) was shorter in T. alecto and female longevity was extended. In addition, T. alecto exhibited significant higher levels of parasitism during the first three days after emergence thanT. galloi. Thus, both parasitoids studied here offer considerable potential for the control of D. flavipennella in sugarcane.