Biocontrol efficacy and viability of Trichogramma chilonis on Corcyra cephalonica and Spodoptera litura under laboratory conditions

Trichogramma, an egg parasitoid can be used in controlling many lepidopteran pests. Therefore, it is necessary to demonstrate the capacity of these natural enemies in controlling the pest population so as to use them in biological control programs against the pest. Such an attempt was made in this particular study, where the parasitization rate of Trichogramma chilonis was tested on the eggs of Corcyra cephalonica and Spodoptera litura. Under the laboratory conditions, nearly hundred eggs of the pests were glued on a card and offered for the parasitoid. Later it was observed for the parasitization and viability rates. The parasitization rate of T. chilonis was found to be 61.17±1.77% on C. cephalonica eggs and 80.31±3.34% on the eggs of S. litura. In contrast to this, the viability rate of T. chilonis was more on C. cephalonica (84.32±2.1%) and very less (4.91±1.32%) on the eggs of S. litura, which indicates that the Trichogramma reared on the eggs of C. cephalonica can perpetuate better in controlling the lepidopteran pests and can be used in mass rearing in an augmentative biological control. © 2013 Universal Research Publications. All rights reserved