Assessment of Trichogramma species for biological control of forest lepidopteran defoliators

Abstract

AbstractIn a laboratory study, we determined the potential of three Trichogramma (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) species, T. brassicae Bezdenko, T. minutum Riley and T. nr. sibiricum Sorokina, for biological control against six species of forest lepidopteran pests, black army cutworm, hemlock looper, eastern spruce budworm, western spruce budworm, white‐marked tussock moth, and gypsy moth. Females of each parasitoid species were offered eggs from each of the six host species. Parasitization and the effect of the host species on the emerging progeny were examined and recorded. Trichogramma minutum had the broadest host range and successfully parasitized four host species out of the six offered. Trichogramma nr. sibiricum had the narrowest host range and parasitized only two species of hosts. Of the six host species, black army cutworm was the most preferred by all three Trichogramma species; white‐marked tussock moth and gypsy moth were not parasitized by any parasitoids. There was a positive correlation between the size of female offspring and their corresponding egg complement in all three parasitoid species. The developmental time of parasitoids from egg to adult was influenced by both the parasitoid and host species. Our results suggest that T. minutum has the greatest potential for biological control against various forest lepidopteran pests and that the black army cutworm may be the best target candidate for further study.