Effect of nutrition on the longevity of Bracon brevicornis Wesmael (Hymenoptera : Braconidae) a larval parasitoid of the coconut caterpillar Nephantis serinopa Meyrick
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2007-02-08
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Bracon brevicornis Wesmael (Braconidae) is one of the important indigenous larval parasitoid of Nephantis serinopa Meyrick, a serious pest of the coconut palm in India. The adult parasitoids are usually fed on diluted honey in the laboratory. The present study assesses the efficacy of different sugars such as xylose, dextrose, sorbose, mannose, mannitol, sucrose and raffinose in comparison with honey and distilled water in increasing longevity of B. brevicornis. The parasitoids were fed daily with 20% solutions of sugars and honey and distilled water as droplets on wax - coated paper. Data revealed that honey is the best food for promoting longer life of the parasitoid, the mean longevity being 10.4 days for males and 30.1 days for females. This was followed by sucrose and dextrose in the order of efticacy. The others are not superior to distilled water. Between males and females, the latter had a significantly longer life span in all cases and more so with honey and sucrose.
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In: Proceedings, PLACROSYM II, UPASI, Ootacamund, 26-29 Jun. 1979. Edited by C. S. Venkataram and others 1980 p-510-512