Natural parasitization of Cotesia spp. and Bracon spp. on Spodoptera litura Fab. in castor crop

Abstract

The larval stage of Spodoptera litura Fab. is more prone to parasitism. Larval parasitoids such as braconids belongs to family Braconidae of order Hymenoptera acts as Ecto parasitoids. Braconids have wide host range and successful biocontrol agent recommended for the control of lepidopteran larvae in many crops and stored grains. The present study on parasitization of braconids on S. litura was conducted under laboratory conditions. The larva of S. litura collected from castor crop from various locations near by Nagpur, Maharashtra, India and reared on castor leaves under laboratory conditions. The larvae were parasitized by two parasitoids namely, Cotesia spp. and Bracon spp. The study revealed that the field collected larva of S. litura when reared on castor leaves showed an average parasitization of 11% and 4.3% by Cotesia spp. and Bracon spp. respectively.