Comparative biology of Bracon hebetor say on Corcyra cephalonica stainton, Helicoverpa armigera (hub.) and Spodoptera litura fabricius under no choice and dual choice conditions

Abstract

Bracon hebetor is one of the most common polyphagous larval ecto parasitoid in the Indian sub-continent. It has wide host range and successful bio control agent recommended for control of lepidopteran larvae in many crops and stored grains. Laboratory studies were conducted to know the prasitization of B. hebetor on three hosts, Corcyra cephalonica, Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera litura. In no choice and dual choice condition it was found that B. hebetor parasitized C. cephalonica and H. armigera larvae and not parasitized S. litura larvae. Fecundity was found to be zero on S. litura under dual choice condition with C. cephalonica or H. armigera. C. cephalonica and H. armigera are found to be preferred hosts for B, hebetor.