Release strategy and egg parasitism of Telenomus podisi adults fed with different diets

Abstract

The release of Telenomus podisi in the pupae stage for the control of Euschistus heros can be negatively affected by biotic and abiotic causes of mortality, reducing parasitoid emergence from pupae in the field. Therefore, this work aimed to develop a solid diet for adults of T. podisi that can be used inside capsules to enable the release of fed and copulated adults. Among different tested diets, 100 % honey, offered as honey-macerated cotton strings, obtained the best results. This solid honey diet is the most appropriate to feed T. podisi inside release capsules, enabling the release of fed adults and, thereby, reducing parasitoid mortality. In addition, the solid diet inside capsules ensures that parasitoids can be stored for at the least 15 days after the onset of adult emergence before their release in the field. This makes the release process more flexible and attractive to farmers by enabling a release delay in bad weather conditions or for other reasons.