Moraes Rian Javé S S, Silva-Torres Christian S A, Barbosa Paulo R R, Torres Jorge B
Depto de Agronomia-Entomologia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, PE, Recife, Brazil.
Depto de Agronomia-Entomologia, Universidade Federal Dos Vales Do Jequitinhonha E Mucuri, MG, Unaí, Brazil.
Neotrop Entomol. 2023 Oct;52(5):921-931. doi: 10.1007/s13744-023-01068-8. Epub 2023 Aug 16.
Tetrastichus howardi (Olliff) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) parasitizes the diamond back moth Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), but not much is known about its potential as a biocontrol agent. A rearing protocol has been established for this parasitoid on pupae of the factitious host Tenebrio molitor (L.) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), with the aim of releasing it in the field to manage several lepidopteran species. The potential population growth of a parasitoid can be measured through fertility life tables and provide supporting information for using T. howardi in the management of P. xylostella. Also, the fitness and behavior of T. howardi reared on a factitious host can be indicators of its potential to control P. xylostella. Thus, in this study, the fertility life table parameters of T. howardi parasitizing P. xylostella were determined, as well as the effects of the natal host on the behavior of T. howardi towards host volatiles and parasitism rate. The results showed that net reproduction rate (R) and the intrinsic rate of population growth (r) of T. howardi parasitizing P. xylostella were 13.6 (♀/♀) and 0.124 (♀/♀*day), respectively, whereas the mean generation time was 20.9 days. Moreover, the natal host (T. molitor or P. xylostella) did not affect the fitness, parasitism rate, or olfactory response of T. howardi. In general, regardless of the natal host, parasitoid females responded to volatiles of both host species and exhibited the same rate of parasitism on P. xylostella. Therefore, T. howardi reared on the factitious host maintains its attraction and potential to parasitize P. xylostella, and can contribute to the biological control of this pest.
黄足盘绒茧蜂（Tetrastichus howardi (Olliff)）（膜翅目：姬小蜂科）寄生于小菜蛾（Plutella xylostella (L.)）（鳞翅目：菜蛾科），但其作为生物防治剂的潜力鲜为人知。已为该寄生蜂建立了在替代寄主黄粉虫（Tenebrio molitor (L.)）（鞘翅目：拟步甲科）蛹上的饲养方案，目的是将其释放到田间以防治多种鳞翅目物种。寄生蜂的潜在种群增长可通过繁殖力生命表来衡量，并为在小菜蛾防治中使用黄足盘绒茧蜂提供支持信息。此外，在替代寄主上饲养的黄足盘绒茧蜂的适合度和行为可作为其控制小菜蛾潜力的指标。因此，在本研究中，测定了寄生于小菜蛾的黄足盘绒茧蜂的繁殖力生命表参数，以及原生寄主对黄足盘绒茧蜂对寄主挥发物的行为和寄生率的影响。结果表明，寄生于小菜蛾的黄足盘绒茧蜂的净繁殖率（R）和种群内禀增长率（r）分别为13.6（♀/♀）和0.124（♀/♀·天），而平均世代时间为20.9天。此外，原生寄主（黄粉虫或小菜蛾）不影响黄足盘绒茧蜂的适合度、寄生率或嗅觉反应。总体而言，无论原生寄主如何，寄生蜂雌虫对两种寄主物种的挥发物都有反应，并且在小菜蛾上表现出相同的寄生率。因此，在替代寄主上饲养的黄足盘绒茧蜂保持了对小菜蛾的吸引力和寄生潜力，并可有助于对这种害虫的生物防治。
