Study of the factors influencing the breeding of Habrobracon hebetor say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) on its host substitution Corcyra cephalonica (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in real environnent in Niger

Abstract

Using Habrobracon hebetor Say is an alternative solution for sustaining the fight against the borer millet. For a very long time, the mating of this parasitoid has posed methodological difficulties because it has to go through good synchronization with its surrogate host. In this study, the breeding of H. hebetor in real environment was carried out in three different breeding structures. The data were analyzed under Statview. rar. In general, male dominance over females is observed throughout the duration of the experiment. The comparison of the means according to breeding structures showed a dominance of adults emerged in hangar (90.8 ± 20.70) compared to other breeding structures. Thus over 96% of adults of H. hebetor have emerged in hangar against only 90% in the final material. Taking into account gender, it is clear from results found that sex is in favor of females in a shed and in favor of males under house of mud and solid materials. It appears that hangar farming can be a good place for mass breeding of H. hebetor. Depending on its surrogate host, the results seem to show that the higher the number of C. cephalonica, the more adults of H. hebetor increase. All these results constitute a good indicator for the technical services for a better management of the mass farms of H. hebetor.