Abstract
BackgroundDiadegma insulare (Cresson) is the most efficient parasitoid of Plutella xylostella (L.) in cruciferous crops. Considering its effectiveness, the present study was performed to investigate the impacts of cauliflower and cabbage cultivars under 3 different temperature regimes on the parasitism efficiency and offspring sex ratio of D. insulare.Main bodyThis study revealed that D. insulare remained active at all the 3 temperatures (i.e., 19, 23, and 27 °C) and on all selected cruciferous cultivars. However, 23 °C (along with 65±5% RH and 16L: 8D hours) was the most suitable temperature, whereas relatively preferred host plant cultivars were the “White marble” (cauliflower) and “Asha” (cabbage) at which comparatively higher parasitism rates (79.39 and 73.31%, respectively) were recorded. Moreover, non-significant differences were observed in the offspring sex ratios of the parasitoid at different temperature regimes; however, minute differences were found among studied cruciferous cultivars.ConclusionOverall, “White marble” (cauliflower) and “Asha” (cabbage) were recommended to be used as potential host plant cultivars for mass rearing of D. insulare.
Highlights
Diadegma insulare (Cresson) is the most efficient parasitoid of Plutella xylostella (L.) in cruciferous crops
This study aimed to evaluate the impact of different temperature regimes and host plant cruciferous cultivars on the parasitism efficiency and sex ratio of D. insulare and to enhance the mass rearing procedure of this important parasitoid
Different temperature regimes were maintained according to the need of experimental studies, and to acclimatize with the abiotic and biotic conditions, insects’ cultures (P. xylostella and D. insulare) were reared for 3 generations under similar conditions before performing a certain experimental study
Summary
Diadegma insulare (Cresson) is the most efficient parasitoid of Plutella xylostella (L.) in cruciferous crops. Considering its effectiveness, the present study was performed to investigate the impacts of cauliflower and cabbage cultivars under 3 different temperature regimes on the parasitism efficiency and offspring sex ratio of D. insulare. 23 °C (along with 65±5% RH and 16L: 8D hours) was the most suitable temperature, whereas relatively preferred host plant cultivars were the “White marble” (cauliflower) and “Asha” (cabbage) at which comparatively higher parasitism rates (79.39 and 73.31%, respectively) were recorded. Non-significant differences were observed in the offspring sex ratios of the parasitoid at different temperature regimes; minute differences were found among studied cruciferous cultivars. Host plants play a significant role during the bioecological processes related to the parasitoids such as parasitism, survival, and growth rates (Sarfraz et al. Qureshi et al Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control (2020) 30:122
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