Role of host diet on the fitness of the egg parasitoid species, Trichogramma evanescens Westwood (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

Abstract Background Egg parasitoids belonging to the genus Trichogramma (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) are important natural enemies that have been successfully used in biological control programs and mostly reared on Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Host quality is a crucial factor can determine parasitoid fitness. Main body Laboratory studies were carried out evaluate effects of 3 different larval diets CY diet (95% cornmeal + 5% yeast), CBGY (53.3% 26.7% wheat bran 15% glycerine WBGY yeast) some demographic parameters E. . Moreover, performance species evanescens Westwood eggs artificial determined. For rearing, had higher fecundity greater emergence ratios. Nevertheless, also provided shorter developmental time, fecundity, relatively female ratios subsequent generations parasitoids. Conclusion The results suggest could be considered as standard for multigenerational rearing T.