Influence of five lepidopteran host insects on the fecundity and development of a larval parasitoid Bracon hebetor Say

A gregarious larval ectoparasitoid of multiple host species of lepidoptera, Bracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera:Braconidae), is associated with field and stored products. This study examined the suitability of five lepidopteran host species from three families for the growth and reproduction of B. hebetor. Petridishes and small containers were used in the experiments. The preference and suitability of the third, fourth, and fifth larval instars of rice moth (Pyralidae), Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton), greater wax moth (Pyralidae), Galleria mellonella (Linnaeus), fall armyworm (Noctuidae), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E.Smith), tobacco caterpillar (Noctuidae), Spodoptera litura (Fabricius), and black headed caterpillar (Xyloryctidae), Opisina arenosella (Walker) for the development of B. hebetor were evaluated. The oviposition rate of B. hebetor was high in 3rd instar larvae of G. mellonella, followed by 5th instar larva of S. frugiperda, S. litura, C. cephalonica, and O. arenosella. Adult emergence was greater in the 5th instar larva of G. mellonella than in the other hosts. The third instar larva of G. mellonella was found to be the best host for the oviposition and development of B. hebetor. Hence, G. mellonella could be recommended for mass rearing of B. hebetor in a biological control programme.