|
Abstract
|
The ectoparasitoid, Habrobracon hebetor (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is considered one of the most important biological control agents of several Lepidopteran pests. The effect of short term storage at low temperature on the quality of parasitoid adults was investigated by storing the adults at 4±1°C for 48h. Then adults transfer to incubator at 26±1°C, 65±5 % RH and 16:8h (L:D) photoperiod. In this study the last instar larvae of Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller) and Plodia interpunctella (Hubner) and 3th instar larvae of Galleria mellonella L. used as hosts. The parasitism rate, adult emergency rate, longevity, fecundity and sex ratio of parasitoid adults on each host were analyzed with CRD design using SPSS and means were separated at the 5% significance level by using Duncan test. 15 replications were considered for each host. Results showed that the parasitism rate, adult emergency and fecundity have significant differences between hosts. The mean of parasitism rate on A. kuehniella, P. interpunctella and G. mellonella were 99.20%, 100% and 88% respectively that has significant differences between G. mellonella and others. The highest emergency rate was observed on P. interpunctella (37.59%) follow on G. mellonella (30.21%) and A. kuehniella (11.11%). The mean of Fecundity was highest on P. interpunctella (14 eggs per life span) that has significant differences with others. Based on the results, the biological parameters of H. hebetor on P. interpunctella larvae were higher than other two hosts when the parasitoid adults store at 4°C for a short time.
|