Selection of Trichogramma species as potential natural enemies for the control of Opogona sacchari (Bojer)

Abstract

The banana moth Opogona sacchari (Bojer) (Lepidoptera: Tineidae) is a polyphagous pest that can cause serious damage, especially to banana crops in southern Brazil. It attacks the fruit, lowering its quality and making bananas unsuitable for export. Current control measures are limited and the use of Trichogramma (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) for Applied Biological Control may be an alternative for the management of this pest. In this study, we investigated the potential parasitism effectiveness of eggs of O. sacchari by T. pretiosum, T. atopovirilia and T. galloi, three species of parasitoids commonly used in Applied Biological Control programs in Brazil. Eggs of O. sacchari were parasitized by all three Trichogramma species, and T. atopovirilia and T. galloi were the most aggressive, showing greater potential for control of this pest in the banana culture.