Trichogramma

Parasitoid wasps of genus Trichogramma (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) includes several species that are frequently used as biological control agents worldwide.
Trichogramma spp. are egg parasitoids which lay their eggs inside the eggs of insect pests.
Host of this parasitoid are the eggs of Sugarcane borers, Cut worms (Agrotis spp.), Cotton bollworms and Maize stem borer(Chilo pertellus).

1. PRESENTATION ON MULTIPLICATION OF BIOAGENT TRICHOGRAMMA Submitted By:- Hemlata M.Sc. Previous Year Deptt . of Entomology

2. TRICHOGRAMMA Parasitoid wasps of genus Trichogramma (Hymenoptera : Trichogrammatidae ) includes several species that are frequently used as biological control agents worldwide. Trichogramma spp. are egg parasitoids which lay their eggs inside the eggs of insect pests. Host of this parasitoid are the eggs of Sugarcane borers, Cut worms ( Agrotis spp.), Cotton bollworms and Maize stem borer( Chilo pertellus ).

3. Rearing Of Trichogramma spp. Several steps used for rearing : 1. Collection of Trichogramma from field as founder population, propagation and conservation 2. Selection of host eggs and their storage 3. Exposure of Trichogramma to host eggs on large quantity 4. Mass production for Augmentation releases

4. Steps in Rice moth production: 1 . Sorghum/pearl millet/maize grain, free from insecticides, are coarsely milled and broken into 4-5 pieces in a milling machine. 2. The broken grains are heat sterilized at 100 C for 1 hour to eliminate the residual population of stored product insect. 3. 2 kg of broken grain are then transferred to plastic Corcyra cages along with 5gm yeast(regulate larval growth). 4. After mixing the ingredients, Corcyra eggs are sprinkled on top of the mixture.

5. Rearing of Trichogramma 1.In the plastic boxes population of female Corcyra moths become high, egg cards are places in rearing boxes. 2. The cards of 15 X 7.5 cm size are used. 3.Name of the laboratory, releasing instructions, date of preparation of card and expected date of parasitoid emergence are printed on the backside of the cards. 4. Dilute Acacia gum is used for pasting the eggs. 5. Females lay eggs on these cards 6.These cards are then transfer to the Trichogramma chambers,where mated females of Trichogramma are present .

6. STERILIZATION OF HOST EGGS BY THE USE OF ULTRA VIOLET STERILIZER.

7. Rearing 1. The egg pasted on the cards are sterilized by exposing the cards under 30 Watt UV tube at a distance of 35 cm from the source for 10 minutes. 2. The eggs on cards are exposed to adult Trichogramma for 24 hours at 28+20C in transparent plastic container. 3. Parasitized eggs start turning black on the 3rd day after parasitization . 4. Life cycle of Trichogramma is completed in 7-8 days. 5. The eggs when turned black can be stored in the refrigerator or can be transported for field releases. 6. The emergence of adults generally takes places after 3-6 days after blacking of the eggs

8. Precautions For Releasing Trichogramma 1.Emergence date should be specified on the cards to guide the user. 2. The cards should be stapled on the inner side of the leaves to avoid direct sunlight. 3. The cards should be stapled in morning hours and just before emergence to avoid predation. 4. Avoid application of insecticides in the field where Trichogramma are released. 5. If need arises uses selective/safer insecticides. 6. Ensure that insecticides are used 15 days after or before Trichogramma release .

9. STORAGE Parasitized egg cards showing blackening of eggs can be stored in a refrigerator at 12-15 C for 10-15 days UV sterilized Corcyra eggs can be stored in the lower chamber of the refrigerator up to 5 days can be used for parasitization . The best stage for storage is pupal stage. During the storage the quality of emerging adults is affected. Prolonged storage beyond 15 day would impair emergence as well as longevity and fecundity of the resulting progeny

10. Reference : Prasad T. V. (2013) Hand Book of Entomology. Kalayani publication New Delhi. http://agritech.tnau.ac.in

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