Identification and Natural Parasitism of Trichogramma Species on Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Eggs in Düzce, Turkey

ABSTRACT: Small corn fields are intertwined within hazelnut orchards as main crops in Duzce province, located in the Black Sea Region of Turkey. In recent years, the fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea (Drury) reached outbreak levels in hazelnut orchards and chemical agents represented the primary means used to control the population of H. cunea in those orchards. Frequent pesticide spraying against H. cunea may have an adverse effect on beneficial insects and may also disrupt biological control of the European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner) by Trichogramma species. Trichogramma specimens collected from corn fields of Duzce provinces in the West Black Sea region in Turkey were identified as T. brassicae Bezdenko based on morphological and molecular characteristics. As a result of this study, natural occurrence of the parasitoid, T. brassicae is still important in successfully suppressing the ECB population in Duzce province of Turkey. It seems that this wasp species adapts well to corn fields. T...