Influences of Different Nutrients on the Biological Attributes of Trichogramma chilonis Ishii (Trichogrammatidae: Hymenoptera)

Abstract

Trichogramma chilonis Ishii (Trichogrammatidae: Hymenoptera), an important egg parasitoid used in biological control programs. The development period of T. chilonis was observed as lowest (9.26 - 9.45 days) in vitamin C, honey- water, top and internode borer solutions and honey-water +Corcyra eggs solutions as compared to sugar solution (9.74 days). There was no detrimental effect of nutrition on development period observed in various nutrient regimes. The longevity of T. chilonis varied from 1.8 to 5.30 days. The nutrient like Vit C, INB egg solution, honey-water+Corcyra eggs solution have detrimental effects on longevity whereas top borer eggs solution supported to increase longevity of T. chilonis. The fecundity was maximum (76.30) eggs in fed with top borer egg solutions as compared to other nutrients (29.20 to 47.10) eggs. The availability of INB egg solution, honey-water solution and Vit C solutions as a food  source yielded maximum adult progeny (96.33-97.70%) and significantly lowest in top borer egg solution and unfed. The female progeny was observed maximum (92.80%) in INB eggs solution. The lowest female emergence (10.50%) was recorded in top borer egg solution, which is detrimental for female ratios. The nutrients i.e., solutions of honey water, sugar vit c, honey water+Corcyra and INB eggs could be the optimal food source in providing an adequate amount of nutrition required by T. chilonis in its reproduction activity. It is found that top borer egg may have a feeding deterrent or even toxic to T. chilonis solution was not suitable as food source for mass multiplication.