Parasitism preference of a Braconid wasp Apanteles creatonoti Viereck (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) Towards insect pests of agricultural and forest importance

ABSTRACT Apanteles creatonoti Viereck (Hymenoptera : Braconidae) is potential bicontrol agent of insect pests such as Spilosoma obliqua (Walker), Amsacta moorei Butler, Amsacta albistriga Walker and Thiocidas postica Wlk. Host specificity plays a very crucial role in enhancing biocontrol programs of a pest. Hence, host specificity and host preference of A. creatonoti have been studied. S. obliqua, A. moorei, A.albistriga, T. postica, Spodoptera litura Fab. and Exelastis atomsa Walsingham have been tried as hosts. Out of which A. moorei was found to be most suitable host for maximum progeny production. While, E.atomosa larvae were rejected for parasitism. The order of preference for parasitism was A. moorei > A. albistriga > T. postica > S. obliqua > S. litura. Key words: Apanteles creatonoti, Host preference, biocontrol potential