Trichogramma is one the most studied and used natural enemies of insect pests in the world. The quality and the performance of Trichogramma can be influenced by some factors, like the kind of host used for its mass rearing. The objective of this research was to obtain some basic informations about the biological aspects of Trichogramma exiguum Pinto & Platner, 1983 (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), reared on Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller, 1879) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and Sitotroga cerealella (Oliv., 1819) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) for 10, 20 e 30 generations, and the effect of something on the biological characteristics of this parasitoid. In each generation, 25 recently emerged females of T. exiguum from each host were used, these females being placed individually in glass tubes. Each female received a card with 40 eggs of the host in which it was being maintained. Egg parasitism was allowed for 24 h, with the cards being replaced daily until the death of the parasitoid. The number of eggs parasited in the first day, the capacity of parasitism and the longevity of T. exiguum was higher when reared in eggs of A. kuehniella, during the different generations, showing that this host is better indicated for mass rearing of T. exiguum.
Parasitoid; Anagasta kuehniella; Sitotroga cerealella
