Abstract

The biology, behaviour and mass multiplication of two species of indigenous parasitoids of the teak defoliator, Hyblaea puera Cramer (Lepidoptera : Hyblaeidae) namely, Sympiesis hyblaeae Surekha (Hymenoptera : Eulophidae) and Palexorista solennis (walker) (Diptera : Tachinidae) were studied and the usefulness of these parasitoids as candidates for the biological control programme was evaluated based on their biological characteristics. It is concluded that S. hyblaeae is not a suitable candidate foruse in the biological control programme against the teak defoliator. P. solennis is an endoparasite and infested third and fourth instar larvae of H. puera. The feasibility of mass multiplication suggests that this species can be produced in large numbers. In terms of percentage parasitism T. embryophagum was found superior to T. dendrolimi. Successful parasitism by these parasitoids is dependent on the availability of fresh eggs for their oviposition. It is concluded that the success of using these eggparasitoids in the practical biological control programme depends on our ability to predict the pest incidence and timing of their inundative release in the field