Other Egg Parasitoids: Research for Utilisation

Abstract

Among the seven hymenopteran families (other than Trichogrammatidae), which are known to exploit the eggs of pest insects, Scelionidae and Mymaridae are entirely egg parasitoids, while Encyrtidae, Eulophidae, Eupelmidae, Platygasteridae and Tetracampidae include scattered genera and species, a few of which as immatures or adults act as egg predators. The family Pteromalidae includes both parasitoids and predators. Listing of the egg parasitoids from these families, which are reported on Lepidoptera, Hemiptera, Coleopteran and Orthoptera, has been made. Considerable information is available on the level of field parasitism by different species, especially on pests of fruits, vegetables, rice and sugarcane. The exotic parasitoid Telenomus remus has shown good potential against Spodoptera litura. For biocontrol of the sugarcane Pyrilla (Pyrilla perpusilla), Cheiloneurus pyrillae was utilised in North India. Among parasitoids of sucking bugs, Trissolcus and Gryon were found to be promising as biocontrol agents. Future research thrusts on this group should include the development of semisynthetic diet for host insects like Scirpophaga spp. as hosts for Telenomus rowani and Telenomus beneficiens. It would be extremely useful to develop in vitro rearing technique for Telenomus spp.