Journal of Economic Entomology (2002) 95, 50-56

L.S. Hansen and K.-M.V. Jensen (2002)
Effect of temperature on parasitism and host-feeding of Trichogramma turkestanica (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) on Ephestia kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
Journal of Economic Entomology 95 (1), 50-56
Abstract: The egg parasitoid Trichogramma turkestanica Meyer is being evaluated as a biological control agent against the Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller, in flour mills. The longevity, parasitism and host-feeding of the parasitoid at four constant temperatures (15–30°C) has been determined in the laboratory. The highest fecundity occurred at intermediate temperatures. The number of host eggs killed by host-feeding per female was highest at the two lower temperatures. A very conservative estimate of host-feeding showed that it accounts for approximately half of the mortality of host eggs at 20 and 25°C and thus could constitute a major mortality factor for the flour moth population.
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Full text of article
Database assignments for author(s): Karl-Martin Vagn Jensen

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution
environment/habitat manipulation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Ephestia kuehniella	Flour/bran
Trichogramma turkestanicum (parasitoid)	Ephestia kuehniella	Flour/bran