Conservation of Diadegma semiclausum Hellen. Parasitoids as Biological Control to Plutella xylostella Linn. with Adult Food Exploration

Abstract

Diadegma semiclausum Hellen. parasitoid (Hymenoptera : Ichneumonidae) is a potential natural enemy to Plutella xylostella Linn. larvae (Lepidoptera : Yponomeutidae) that attacks Brassicaceae crops (crucifers) such as cabbage (Brassica oleraceae var. capitata) and cauliflower (Brassica oleraceae var. italica). The failures of biological control programs caused by the lack of suitable charbohydrate food sources to adult parasitoid, and its effects the adult reproduction, so its important to use food sources which is suitable to D. semiclausum longevity and fecundity for good existence in field. The aim of research is to identification kind of Brassicaceae wild flowers and to get a better Brassicaceae wild flowers as food to D. semiclausum adult parasitoids. This research has been conducted during the periods of Mei to November 2008 in laboratory and screen house of Payakumbuh Agriculture Polytechnic. This research consist of descriptive method to identification and a series with Completely Randomized Design. The last research is testing Brassicaceae wild flowers (Rorippa indica (Nasturtium indicum), Cardamine hirsuta, Bunias orientalis, R. indica (N. heterophylum) as food of D. semiclausum adult parasitoids with four replications. Analysis of variance is performed on the data with SAS Systems. The result of research showed that brassicaceae wild flowers were testing a potential food sources for D. semiclausum adult but no one the best from its.