Host Utilization of the Endoparasitoid, Cotesia glomerata L. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in Different Instars of Pierls brassicae L. (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)

Authors

M. I. Ullah, University of SargodhaFollow
Muhammad Arshad, University of Sargodha
S. Ali, University of Sargodha
Yasir Iftikhar, University of Sargodha
Jaime Molina-Ochoa, Universidad de ColimaFollow
John E. Foster, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

ORCID IDs

John E. Foster

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2016

Citation

Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control, 26(3), 2016,625-629.

Abstract

Pieris brassicae L. (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) is a destructive pest of brassicaceous plants around the world. Biological control of this pest has attained much attention being environment friendly. Parasitism rate and growth of the endoparasitoid species, Cotesia glomerata L. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was studied on first (L 1) and second (L2) larval instars of P. brassicae. Adult fresh mass and developmental time of the parasitoid was higher when it parasitized L1 than L2 of host larvae. Thus, host instars contributed significant variations to parasitoids adult mass accumulation during their development. Parasitized host caterpillars in L2 grew significantly larger than in L1 due to less parasitism rate. Similarly, the development of C. glomerata was faster in L1 as compared to L2. Larval mortality of the host and parasitoid was also significantly higher in case of LI. It is indicated from the study that C. glomerata has a promising role managing P. brassicae larvae at early stages.