Parasitisation efficiency of Tetrastichus howardi Olliff (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) on Diaphania pulverulentalis Hampson (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) pupae at different depths of soil

Abstract

A laboratory experiment was carried out to determine the parasitization efficiency of Tetrastichus howardi (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) on the pupae of Diaphania pulverulentalis Hampson (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) at various soil depths. The results showed that the parasitoid successfully parasitized the host pupa at various depths, but the emergence rate was highest (96%) when the pupae were on the top layer of soil, followed by 2cm (90%), 4cm (84%), and 6cm (86%).