¿MULTIPLICAR Tetrastichus howardi (HYMENOPTERA: EULOPHIDAE) EN LA ORUGA DE LA SEDA AFECTA SU BIOLOGIA?

Abstract

The successive multiplication of parasitoids in alternative hosts can affect the biological characteristics and compromise the systems for massive rearing. The aim of this study was to evaluate if the multiplication of Tetrastichus howardi (Olliff, 1893) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in pupae of the alternative host Bombyx mori (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) for three generations, affects its reproductive performance, when are reared, then in pupae of the natural host Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius, 1794) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). The information obtained in this study can improve and facilitate the biological control of pests, mainly with the use of parasitoids, due to the fact that T. howardi parasite and develops into pupae of B. mori. In general, the multiplication of T. howardi for three generations in the alternative host pupae of B. mori does not compromise the biological characteristics of this parasitoid when multiplied in its natural host D. saccharalis to the effects of their use in biological control programs.