ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to evaluate the flight capacity, parasitism and emergence of Trichogramma pretiosum Riley strains, collected from 4 localities of Mato Grosso State, Brazil, reared in the laboratory for 54 generations, and fed on Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) eggs. A completely randomized statistical design was adopted, with 4 treatments (strains) and 7 replicates (30 unviable eggs of S. cerealella). The percentage of flying, running and nonflying insects, parasitism and emergence rate were evaluated. Percentage of flying parasitoids from the Rondonópolis strain (97.7) was higher than for the Primavera do Leste (91.7), Jaciara (85.9) and Pedra Preta (94.0) strains, according to the Scott-Knott test (P < 0.05). The percentage of running insects did not differ between the Rondonópolis (0.6) and Black Stone strains (2.6). For the nonflying parasitoids, differences were not detected in the Primavera do Leste (3.6%), Jaciara (3.1%), Rondonópolis (1.7%) or Pedra Preta strains (3.7%). The parasitism rate was similar among the strains and varied from 69.2% (Pedra Preta strain) to 81.9% (Rondonópolis strain). The emergence rate did not differ among the strains and was superior to 80% in all the strains. After 54 generations the 4 strains are in adequate flight activity, parasitism and emergence conditions to be used in biological control programs.
KEY WORDS
Parasitoid eggs; quality control; biological control
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