TestingBessa remota [Dip.: Tachinidae] againstOpisina arenosella [Lep.: Cryptophasidae] and other lepidopterous hosts in India

Abstract

Bessa remota (Ald.) was introduced from Malaysia for trials againstOpisina arenosella Wlk., an important pest coconut in India. Its development was studied onO. arenosella reared on artificial diet. Eggs were laid readily on half to full grown larvae and incubation, larval and pupal periods were 2.18, 6.69 and 9.34 days respectively at 25°±2°C, 60–80% R.H. Females lived for 23 days producing 108.29 eggs, of which 53.10% yielded puparia. Among 8 other lepidopterous hosts tested 4% to 20% parasitism was observed onCrocidolomia binotalis (Z.),Spodoptera litura (Fb.),Sylepta derogata Fb. andTrichoplusia ni Hb.