Effect of temperature on parasitism and host-feeding of Trichogramma turkestanica (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) on Ephestia kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).
The egg parasitoid Trichogramma turkestanica Meyer is being evaluated as a biological control agent against the Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller, in flour mills. The longevity, parasitism and host-feeding of the parasitoid at four constant temperatures (15-30 degrees C) has been determined in the laboratory. The highest fecundity occurred at intermediate temperatures. The number of host eggs killed by host-feeding per female was highest at the two lower temperatures. A very conservative estimate of host-feeding showed that it accounts for approximately half of the mortality of host eggs at 20 and 25 degrees C and thus could constitute a major mortality factor for the flour moth population.
Hansen
L S
LS
Danish Pest Infestation Laboratory, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, Lyngby. l.s.hansen@ssl.dk
Jensen
K M V
KM
D000818:Animals; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D008136:Longevity; D008297:Male; D009036:Moths / Q000469:parasitology / Q000502:physiology*; D010058:Oviposition; D013696:Temperature; D014863:Wasps / Q000502:physiology*