Comparative Efficacy of Three Trichogramma Species as Biocontrol Tool in Two Lepidoptera Pests Toward Sustainable Solutions

Abstract

Excessive insecticide use disrupts ecosystems, contributes to pollution, and leads to pest resistance. A shift to biological control methods is essential for sustainable, ecosystem‐friendly pest management. This study examined three Trichogramma species as egg parasitoids to control the significant pests Agrotis ipsilon and Eudocima phalonia by evaluating parasitism rates, host preferences, longevity, and offspring emergence. Increased host–parasitoid densities exhibited significant impacts on parasitism rates. All three parasitoid species exhibited a Type III functional response, with the highest parasitism on eggs collected on the first day of oviposition. Trichogramma evanescens and T. chilonis preferred E. phalonia eggs, whereas T. brassicae favored A. ipsilon eggs. For A. ipsilon , adult parasitoid longevities (11.3, 9.5, and 8.0 d), parasitism rates (87%, 83%, and 90%), and emergence rates (72%, 65%, and 59%) were recorded for T. evanescens , T. chilonis , and T. brassicae , respectively. Parasitoids emerging from E. phalonia lived (12.7, 10.3, and 7.3 days) and had parasitism rates of 93%, 85%, and 80%, with emergence rates of 82%, 75%, and 53%, respectively. These findings offer valuable insights for developing environmentally friendly pest control strategies centered on mass rearing and release.