International Journal of Entomology Research

Authors
Muhammad Sarwar, Muhammad Salman

Abstract
Mini-wasp Trichogramma is a biological insecticide that strikes only to target pests with no risk to other natural enemies, human health and environment. Once liberatedin fields, orchards and forests, tiny parasites would seek out and destroy eggs of the most feared caterpillars, such as sugarcane borers, codling moths, cotton bollworms, corn borers, spruce budworms and many others which cause damage to plants. This publication aims to serve as resource to pest management advisors, consultants, extension service agents and specialists, and others seeking information on biological control using Trichogramma. Correct timing of Trichogramma release requires good coordination between rearing facility, field staff and according to number of generations of pest. In one generation area, three times 50,000 adults per hectare are released, whereas in two generations area 150,000 adults per hectare are released only once per generation. The lifespan of these parasitoids is roughly 7 days in their immature stages, and then up to 10 days as adults for parasitism. For use of Trichogramma effectively, put them in field when first flight of moths is seen including species used, quality and parasite product, numbers and timing of release, release method and interactions between parasite, target pest, crop and environmental conditions.