BioControl (2012) 57, 49-59

Seyed Ali Asghar Fathi, Maryam Bozorg-Amirkalaee, Rana M. Sarfraz and Hoshang Rafiee-Dastjerdi (2012)
Parasitism and developmental parameters of the parasitoid Diadegma majale (Gravenhorst) in control of Plutella xylostella (L.) on selected cultivars of canola
BioControl 57 (1), 49-59
Abstract: The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), is one of the most economically significant pests of canola, Brassica napus L., in Ardabil region, Iran. Use of host plant resistance integrated with biocontrol agents such as Diadegma majale (Gravenhorst) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) is an essential component of integrated management of P. xylostella. In this study, we investigated the parasitism by D. majale on six selected cultivars of canola under field conditions and preference and performance of the parasitoid on P. xylostella larvae under laboratory conditions. In field experiments, the highest larval density of P. xylostella was observed on Zarfam during 2008 and 2009. Larval densities were not significantly different among Opera, Hyola 401, Okapi, and Option 500 and Elite in 2008, but the lowest larval density was observed on Opera in 2009. No significant differences were observed among the rate of parasitized larvae on tested cultivars in 2008, while in 2009 the parasitism rate was significantly higher on Opera than on Zarfam. In free-choice situations, the percentage of parasitized larvae was significantly highest on Opera (88.7%) and lowest on Zarfam (62.95%). Developmental time from egg to adult, body mass, length of forewings and hindwings, length of hind femur and hind tibia of D. majale females reared on larvae of P. xylostella fed on Opera did not differ from other cultivars. Our results suggest that cultivation of Opera integrated with D. majale could provide effective and sustainable management of P. xylostella in the region.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Maryam Bozorg-Amirkalaee

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution
surveys/distribution/isolation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Plutella xylostella	Rape/canola (Brassica napus)	Iran
Diadegma majale (parasitoid)	Plutella xylostella	Rape/canola (Brassica napus)	Iran