Biologic studies of Trichogramma lopezandinensis (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) for the control of the potato moth Tecla solanivora (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Abstract

This research was conducted in order to de­termine some basic biological parameters for the future use of the native parasitoid Trichogra ma lopezandinensis for the control of the potato moth 7ecia solanir myr. taking advantage of use egg parasitoid and the evolutive adaptation of this wasp to the agroecological conditions of the Colombian potato zone. This study was conducted under environmentally controlled conditions. The experiments were carried out over T. solanivora eggs. The average duration of the spread life stage of the wasp was: two clays, the egg: several days. the larval stage, with three instars; the pupal stage lasted six days, and adult longevity was related to feeding. Efficiency parameters as searching efficiency, handling time, and mutual interference were estimated. The parasitic activity was influenced by both host and parasitoids density. There was a host density where wasp concentrated her parasitic effort. In high host density, the main proportion of wasps parasitic exposed eggs. The functional response was type II. When parasitoid density increases. the proportion of parasite eggs also increases. and scorching efficiency decreases.