PARASITISM BY TRICHOGRAMMA AUSTRALICUM GIR ON CORCYRA CEPHALONICA STAINTON EGGS OF VARIOUS AGES

SIVAPRAGASAM A. AND ASMA AHMAD

SUMMARY

Corcyra cephalonica Stainton eggs of various ages were tested for host parasitisation and suitability for the development of Trichogramma australicum Gir. With the exception of 2-hour-old eggs, host attractiveness, based on the number of host eggs attacked and number of parasite eggs oviposited, decreased with increasing age. The highest number attacked was at four hours and lowest at 72 hours. A significant difference was observed between host age and number of eggs parasitised. Suitability for development based on the percentage emergence of the parasitoids was found to show slight differences between eggs of different ages. However, no significant differences was observed between host age, the developmental period of the parasitoid and the sex ratto.

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