Biological study of Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lep: Plutellidae) and it's solitary endoparasitoid, Cotesia vestalis (Haliday) (Hym. Braconidae) under laboratory conditions.

Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lep: Plutellidae), is a destructive pest of brassicaceous crops in the world. Cotesia vestalis (Haliday) is one of most important biological control agents of P. xylostella in the world and Iran. Both of P. xylostella and C. vestalis biology were carried out in laboratory condition. Results showed that development time of immature stages of P. xylostella including egg, Instar I, Instar II, Instar III, Instar IV, prepupa, pupa were 2.39 +/- 0.17, 2.18 +/- 0.17, 2.06 +/- 0.28, 2.14 +/- 0.14, 2.54 +/- 0.12, 0.40 +/- 0.12 and 4.23 +/- 0.23 days, respectively. Longevity of female and male were 28.26 +/- 0.05 and 30.22 +/- 0.05 days. By dissecting the parasitized larvae, the egg incubation period of C. vestalis was recorded 1.73 +/- 0.06 days. In long-term oviposition trials, females laid eggs on P. xylostella larvae for up to 10 days. Larval development of the parasitoid in host only required 6.47 days: the first instar larva required 3.25 +/- 0.047 days; the second instar larva needed 2.78 +/- 0.1 days and the third instar larvae exited the host and pupated in, 0.4 +/- 0.07 days. Prepupal and pupal period of wasp were 1.9 +/- 0.06 and 2.13 +/- 0.09 day, respectively. Unmated female and male longevity of wasp were 16.83 +/- 0.37, 16.25 +/- 0.17 and sex ratio is male-biased. When a mixed group and isolated of instars were presented for parasitoid, the 2nd and 3rd instar larvae were so preferred and the 4th instar was less attractive for selection. In choice experiment, the percentage parasitism of 2nd, 3rd and 4th instars was 78.58, 69.94 and 4.36%, respectively. The rapid oviposition rate, short life duration and high percentage parasitism increases parasitoid potential for suppression of host population. Present results suggest that C. vestalis has considerable potential as a biological control agent for P. xylostella.