Aspectos biológicos e preferência de populações de Cotesia flavipes entre Diatraea saccharalis e Diatraea flavipennella - DOI:10.5039/agraria.v15i4a7689

Biological aspects of wild and laboratory-reared populations of Cotesia flavipes was assessed parasitizing Diatraea saccharalis and Diatraea flavipennella . The experiments were conducted using a climate-controlled room adjusted to 26 ± 2 °C, relative humidity of 70 ± 10%, and 12:12 h (Light: Dark) photoperiod. The choice and no-choice tests were run using arenas holding infested pieces of stalks with parasitoid release inside the arena and allowed a searching time of 6 h. After this period, the stalks were opened and the larvae single reared until molting to pupa or forming parasitoid pupae. An experimental design completely randomized in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement was performed. The wild population of C. flavipes exhibited preference and better performance parasitizing D. flavipennella . Research to evaluate the parasitism efficiency and quality of the parasitoids crossing wild and laboratory populations of C. flavipes is necessary to enhance field release success.