A Model of Parasitism by Trichogramma Species near Mwanzai Schulten & Feijen (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) on the Stalk Borer, Chilo Patellus Swinhoe (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on Sorghum

Abstract

Effects of the sequence of parasitoid release and three ' . ecological factors, i.P. parasito1d densities, pest densities, and climatic conditions, on the rate of Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) egg parasitism by Trichogramma sp. nr. mwanzai Schulten and Feijen, were studied i n caged experiments and in the fjeld . Pred)ctive models were developed ~sing data generated from the above studies. The five different parasitcid population densities used were positively correlated with the number of eggs and egg b&tches parasitised in the caged experiments. Mutual interference between the parasitoids was observed at the highest population density of the pa:asit0id (48). The five different pest population levels were positively correlated with the number of eggs and egg batches parasitised. (continue from the attached PDF)