The objective of the present study was to estimate the rates of parasitism of Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson) on Schizaphis graminum (Rond.) and Aphis gossypii Glover under choice and no-choice condition tests. The experiments were carried out in a controlled environmental chamber at 25±1ºC temperature, 70±10% RH, and 12h photophase. Second and third instar aphid nymphs were used as hosts and for each colony one less than a day old L. testaceipes female was used. The previously mated and oviposition inexperienced female remained in contact with the hosts for 24 h. In the choice test 10 colonies of S. graminum and 10 colonies of A. gossypii having sections of sorghum leaves as substrate were used. For the no-choice test 10 colonies of S. graminum maintained on sections of sorghum leaves and 10 colonies of A. gossypii maintained on pepper leaves were used. In the choice test the parasitism was 67% and 46% for S. graminum and A. gossypii, respectively whereas in the no-choice test the parasitism was 76% for S. graminum and 56% for A. gossypii. Superparasitism was not observed for S. graminum. The aphid S. graminum was the most suitable for multiplication of the parasitoid L. testaceipes under laboratory conditions.
Insecta; aphid; biological control; parasitoid
