Effect of Different Food Concentrations on Adult Longevity of Braconid Parasitoids
Author : TR Patil and TM Chougale
Abstract :
Braconid parasitoids are important bio-control agents of horticultural and ornamental lepidopterous plant pests. Supplementary dietary components such as sugars, vitamins, minerals etc. are necessary for the survival and successful reproduction of adult braconid parasitoids. The most widely used resources come from plant or animal secretions, as well as from flowers or fruits that are easy to find in the natural habitat. The nutrients in this food help in increasing the adult longevity of braconid parasitoids and thereby enhances the reproductive potential. The aim of this study was to identify suitable concentrations of nutrients in the different food materials responsible for increasing longevity of the parasitoids. Adult parasitoids, Cotesia mangiferi S. & B., Dolichogenidea sunflowari S. & B. and Glyptapanteles malantis S. & B., were used in the experiment. In longevity studies, seven different dietary concentrations viz., pure honey, 50% honey, 25% honey, 25% sucrose, 25% glucose-D, orange juice and water were tested on five female and five male parasitoids respectively. The experiment was replicated ten times. The adult male braconid parasitoids of C. mangiferi S. & B., D. sunflowari S. & B. and G. malantis S. & B., showed average life span 11.2, 9.2 and 12.4 days respectively and the female adult showed average life span 11.4, 9.4 and 12.6 days respectively with 50% honey as food, which was maximum longevity recorded. As compare to male female shows extended adult longevity.
Keywords :
Adult Longevity, Braconid Parasitoids, Nutrition, Concentrations of Nutrients.
