Exploitation of egg parasitoids for control of potential pests in vegetable ecosystems in India

Abstract

In vegetable ecosystem the egg parasitoids are mainly Trichogrammatids (Trichchogramma,\nTrichogrammatoidea) on Lepidoptera, Secelionids (Telenomus, Trissolcus) on Lepidoptera and\nHetroptera, and Mymarids on leafhopper and thrips. Trichogramma chilonis is found promising as a\nnatural and augmentation control agent for several lepidopteran pests. Considerable progress has\nbeen made on utilizing kairomones for improving the performance of T. chilonis. Release systems\nshould be refined to match with host abundance pattern, while a novel method of spraying\nparasitized eggs has been found promising. Inundative releases of T. chilonis , T. brasiliensis and\nT. pretosium for Helicoverpa control in tomato, Okra and chilli, besides T. chilonis for Leucinodes\norbonailis on brinjal have been demonstrated to be effective. Similar promising results have\nbeen obtained from Trichogrammatoidea bactrae and T. brassicae release in controlling Plutella\nxylostella on cabbage. Integration of egg parasitoid release with NVP, neem and pheromone trap\nhas been shown possible in IPM modules. The scope of mass rearing of Telenomus remus on Corcyra\ncephalonica has been demonstrated, while further improvements in their efficiency are required.\nThe present constraint in mass production and storage of T. achaea may merit attention. Further\nresearch may focus also on strains collection for stress adaptation, host searching and also on field\ndispersal and utilization of semiochemicals for improving the field performance of mass- released\nparasitoids.