The utilization of Trichogramma spp. in the biological control of sugarcane borers: a review and some suggestions for future lines of work

Subba Rao, B. R. ; Sharma, A. K. (1969) The utilization of Trichogramma spp. in the biological control of sugarcane borers: a review and some suggestions for future lines of work Journal of Entomology . pp. 1342-1347. ISSN 1862-1866

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Abstract

Various Trichogramma spp. have been used for the biological control of sugarcane borers in U.S.A., West Indies, South America and India, with varying degree of success. Certain explanations have been given for the failures of these attempts, the chief ones being: (I) The occurrence of superparasitism during laboratory rearing, resulting in loss of vitality, reduced fecundity, reduced longevity and a preponderance of males. (2) Loss or reduction in ecological adaptation or hardiness due to the provision of stable, optimum conditions of rearing. (3) Prolonged inbreeding resulting in many adverse characteristics in the stock. It is suggested that the existing methods of laboratory rearing should be modified so as to avoid superparasitism as far as possible, and that rearing should be done at fluctuating conditions of temperature and humidity-as is being actually done in the U.S.S.R. in case of Trichogramma spp. used in the biological control of some field and orchard pests. As for obviating the deleterious effects of inbreeding, a reinvigoration of the stock could be achieved by bringing in parasites from various places in the area of distribution, or in other words exploiting the principle of heterosis. Work on these lines has been done in the U.S.S.R. and at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi and the results show that such crossing of races or strains of Trichogramma spp. can lead to increased fecundity and longevity. longevity. It is now well established that Trichogramma minutum does not occur in the Orient unless introduced from North America, and references to T. minutum (or T. evanescens minutum) in papers published from India and elsewhere in the Orient are not quite correct. The species in question could be japonicum, australicum or evanescens. Hence inverted commas have been used while mentioning the so-called T. evanescens minutum in this paper.

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