Oviposition behavior of the parasitoid Telenomus remus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) on eggs of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract

Telenomus remus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) is an efficient parasitoid of Spodoptera eggs. However, biological control programs require taxonomic, bioecological and behavioral studies of biological agents. Although the performance of T. remus in pest control has been evaluated, little is known about its behavioral aspects that can influence IPM tactics. The aim of this study was therefore to study the parameters related to the oviposition behavior of T. remus on Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) eggs. The experiment was conducted in the laboratory, where 17 females were transferred individually to arenas containing a mass of S. frugiperda eggs. Oviposition behavior was recorded for 30 minutes. The average walking speed of the females was 0.116 mm.s-1 and the total distance covered was 203.3 mm. The females remained on the egg masses for an average of 16.7 min, which corresponds to more than half of the total time. The average number of parasitized eggs was 15.1 per female in 30 minutes. Females with larger antennae had lower values for average speed and total distance covered. The results of the parameters evaluated show the standard oviposition behavior of T. remus females on S. frugiperda eggs and help us to better understand the species.