Parasitism of Helicoverpa armigera pupae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) by Tetrastichus howardi and Trichospilus diatraeae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)

Abstract

Helicoverpa armigera is a pest that was recently detected in Brazil, which causes significant losses in various crops in different regions of the country. Biological control has been reported to offer a promising alternative in the management of this pest. Thus, this study evaluated the ability of the parasitoids Tetrastichus howardi and Trichospilus diatraeae to parasitize pupae of H. armigera in the laboratory. H. armigera pupae were individually exposed to 15 female Trichospilus diatraeae or 15 female Tetrastichus howardi for 24 h. The pupae remained under observation until the emergence of parasitoids. Parasitism by both parasitoids was observed in 100% of the pupae. Further, 100% of Tetrastichus howardi and 90% of Trichospilus diatraeae emerged. The life cycle of Tetrastichus howardi parasitizing pupae of H. armigera was 15 ± 0.0 days, while that of Trichospilus diatraeae was 15.90 ± 0.10 days. The numbers of offspring from Tetrastichus howardi and Trichospilus diatraeae were 669.3 ± 33.47 and 816.11 ± 89.22 per pupae, with a sex ratio of 0.91 ± 0.01 and 0.94 ± 0.01, respectively. Tetrastichus howardi and Trichospilus diatraeae were shown to successfully parasitize H. armigera pupae in laboratory conditions, suggesting that this host could be used for rearing both parasitoids. However, further detailed studies of the host-parasitoid relationship are needed to assess the feasibility of including these parasitoids in integrated management programs of H. armigera.