In-vitro host searching movement behavior of Trichogramma species

Abstract

The present experiment was conducted at the Biocontrol laboratory, SKS CARS, Surgi, Rajnandgaon (C.G.) during the years 2023-24 and 2024-25 to evaluate the host searching movement behavior of Trichogramma japonicum in vertical, horizontal, and diagonal directions. Results revealed that both species travelled up to 2.00 meters in all directions, beyond which no parasitization nor adult emergence was observed. In vertical movement, T. chilonis exhibited a higher parasitization (78.6%) as compared to T. japonicum (72.4%), while T. japonicum showed greater adult emergence (128.00%). Similar trends were observed in horizontal and diagonal movements, with T. chilonis consistently achieving higher parasitism rates, and T. japonicum showing slightly better emergence percentages.