Physiological suitability of six West African gramineous borers (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae, Pyralidae) for development of Cotesia species complex (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

• Published in: International journal of tropical insect science Vol. 29; no. 3; pp. 130 - 140
• Main Authors: Hailemichael, Y., Schulthess, F., Smith, J.W., Overholt, W.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01-09-2009; Springer International Publishing; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biological control; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Borers; Braconidae; Busseola fusca; Cereals; Coniesta ignefusalis; Cotesia; Cotesia chilonis; Cotesia flavipes; Cotesia sesamiae; Eldana saccharina; encapsulation; Entomology; host acceptability; Host specificity; host suitability; Hymenoptera; Lepidoptera; Life Sciences; maize; Mortality; new associations; Noctuidae; Parasitoids; Progeny; Pyralidae; Research Paper; Sesamia calamistis; stemborer; West Africa; Zea mays; encapsulation; Cotesia; West Africa; host suitability; new associations; biological control; stemborer; maize; host acceptability
• ISSN: 1742-7584; 1742-7592
• DOI: 10.1017/S1742758409990245

Three gregarious, endoparasitic braconids, a Kenyan strain of Cotesia sesamiae, and the exotic Cotesia flavipes and Cotesia chilonis were imported into Benin as candidates for biological control of stem- and cob borers of maize and stemborers of millet. Host acceptability and host suitability of six gramineous borers occurring in western Africa, the noctuids Sesamia calamistis, Sesamia poephaga, Busseola fusca, the crambid Coniesta ignefusalis, and the pyralids Eldana saccharina and Mussidia nigrivenella, to these parasitoids were evaluated to test the hypothesis that new associations were superior over old association parasitoid–host relationships. All hosts were accepted by all Cotesia spp., except M. nigrivenella, which was not attacked by C. chilonis. Parasitoid progeny developed successfully in S. calamistis, S. poephaga and C. ignefusalis. S. calamistis was the most suitable host in terms of duration of developmental time, brood size and mortality of parasitoid progeny. It was concluded that because of its host specificity, the old association parasitoid C. sesamiae would have the highest chance of establishment in cereal systems in West Africa.