Evaluation of rearing methods for Diadegma insulare (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), an endoparasitoid of the diamondback moth (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

Experiments showed potential for rearing D. insulare on diamondback moth-infested artificial diet cakes when a possible stimulant, collard extract, was provided along with allowing adequate time for parasitism to occur. Parasitism increased from 19% in the artificial diet treatment to 46% in the 48 h artificial diet plus collard extract impregnated sting-cup treatment. However, this still was not as productive as using larvae placed on collard leaves (77%). The treatments with longer exposure time (48 h) of the parasitoid to diet produced a sex ratio similar to that found in our rearing facility. The sex ratio of D. insulare produced from the other treatments were heavily biased towards males, a situation that is much different from that which occurs in nature. This article reports the results of research only. Mention of a proprietary product does not constitute an endorsement or the recommendation for its use by USDA.