Effect of Rearing Galleria mellonella and Plodia interpunctella Naturally and Artificially on Their Biological Aspects and The Morpho-Biological Features of Trichogramma turkestanica

Abstract

The present study was initiated to validate whether the artificial or natural diets are the best for Galleria mellonella and Plodia interpunctella hosts for rearing Trichogramma turkestanica Meyer and to assess the effect of reared host eggs on the morpho-biological features of Trichogramma turkesta, nica and their suitability for parasitism. Results for the life tables parameters indicate that the shortest generation time and the lowest doubling time (DT) were recorded Plodia interpunctella which reared artificially (Plodia A), while the highest net reproductive rate (R0) was recorded for Galleria mellonella which reared artificially (Galleria A). The artificial diets are better than those for the natural diet for rearing G. mellonella and P. interpunctella and their generation periods in terms of the measured parameters. Results concerning the morphological features of Trichogramma females that were reared on the eggs of Galleria fed on artificial and natural diets were hosts better than Plodia A., Sitotroga N., and Plodia N under laboratory conditions. Also, the obtained data prove that the maximum mean percentage of successful parasitism and the maximum number of emerged female parasitoids were for Galleria A. In comparison, the rate of emerged adults from parasitized eggs was for Plodia A. It is of interest to point herein that the role of the host diet leads to improving the morpho-biological parameters of Trichogramma which can enhance the success of biological control programs as an essential part of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). This contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).