La multiplicación sucesiva de parasitoides en hospederos alternativos, puede afectar las características biológicas y comprometer los sistemas de cría masiva de estos. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la multiplicación de Tetrastichus howardi (Olliff, 1893) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) en pupas del hospedero alternativo Bombyx mori (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae), durante tres generaciones. Y si eso afecta su desempeño reproductivo, cuando se cría, posteriormente, en pupas del hospedero natural Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius, 1794) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). Las informaciones obtenidas en este estudio pueden mejorar y facilitar el control biológico de plagas, principalmente, con la utilización de parasitoides, debido a que T. howardi parasita y se desarrolla en pupas de B. mori. De forma general, la multiplicación de T. howardi durante tres generaciones en pupas del hospedero alternativo B. mori no compromete las características biológicas de este parasitoide cuando se multiplica en su hospedero natural D. saccharalis a los efectos de su utilización en programas de control biológico.

The successive multiplication of parasitoids in alternative hosts can affect the biological characteristics and compromise the systems for massive rearing. The aim of this study was to evaluate if the multiplication of Tetrastichus howardi (Olliff, 1893) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in pupae of the alternative host Bombyx mori (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) for three generations, affects its reproductive performance, when are reared, then in pupae of the natural host Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius, 1794) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). The information obtained in this study can improve and facilitate the biological control of pests, mainly with the use of parasitoids, due to the fact that T. howardi parasite and develops into pupae of B. mori. In general, the multiplication of T. howardi for three generations in the alternative host pupae of B. mori does not compromise the biological characteristics of this parasitoid when multiplied in its natural host D. saccharalis to the effects of their use in biological control programs.

Erinnyis ello é uma das principais pragas da cultura da mandioca e seus inimigos naturais incluem parasitoides de ovos, lagartas e pupas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o parasitismo e alguns aspectos biológicos de Tetrastichus howardi, criados em pupa de E. ello. Em geral, o parasitismo e emergência de T. howardi em pupas de E. ello foram de 64%. Duração do ciclo (ovo-adulto) de T. howardi em pupas de E. ello foi de 20,12±0,15 dias a 25±2°C, 70±10% de umidade relativa e 14h de fotofase. A progênie de T. howardi por pupa de E. ello foi 466±0,44. A longevidade de T. howardi, fêmeas e machos, foram de 15±0,57 e 12±0,93 dias, respectivamente. A razão sexual foi de 0,95±0,06, e a proporção de fêmeas por fêmea foi de 44±0,45. T. howardi parasita e se desenvolve em pupas de E. ello

Erinnyis ello is one of the main pests of the cassava crop, and its natural enemies including egg, caterpillar, and pupal parasitoids. The aim of this study was to evaluate parasitism and biological aspects of Tetrastichus howardi on E. ello pupae. In general, parasitism and emergence of T. howardi on E. ello pupae was 64%. Cycle duration (egg to adult) of T. howardi on E. ello pupae was of 20.12±0.15 days at 25±2°C, 70±10% relative humidity, and 14-h photophase. The progeny of T. howardi by E. ello pupae was of 466±0.44. Longevity of T. howardi females and males was of 15±0.57 and 12±0.93 days, respectively. The sex ratio was of 0.95±0.06, and the ratio of females per female was 44±0.45. T. howardi parasite and develops on E. ello pupae.

Mass rearing of parasitoids is a fundamental step for biological control programs. The biological characteristics of Palmistichus elaeisis Delvare & LaSalle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) were evaluated in pupae of Anticarsia gemmatalis Hubner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) stored at low temperatures. Twenty four hours-old pupae of A. gemmatalis were stored at 12 °C for 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 d and then exposed to parasitism by P. elaeisis females. The life span of P. elaeisis was affected and ranged from 19 to 24 d on the pupae of the host. Parasitism reached 100% of the host pupae after storage in all periods at 12 °C, and adults emerged from 20.00 to 54.54% of them. The progeny of P. elaeisis ranged from 71 to 198 and had an inverse relationship with the increase in the storage period. Pupae of A. gemmatalis may be stored for up to 6 d at 12 °C and subsequently used in rearing of P. elaeisis.