Studies on the Biological Attributes of Scelionid Egg Parasitoid Psix striaticeps (Dodd) for the Control of Stink Bug Canthecona furcellata (Wolff) in Sericulture

Scelionid egg parasitoids Play an important role in biological control of some economically important pentatomids. Stink bug (Canthecona furcellatta Wolff,) is an important predator of Tasar silkworm larvae (Antheraea mylitta D.) and causes 30-40 percent loss in tasar silk industry. Psix striaticeps (Scelionid: Hymenoptera) has been found to be an important egg parasitoid. The parasitization potential of f striaticeps is mere than 60 percent and the sex ratio is female oriented. Studies indicate that the maintenance of existing scelionid population by avoiding harmful practices and the augmentation of scelionids either directly releasing them in the field or by indirectly making the field environment more favorable for them is an important aspect to control the pentatomid population in sericulture. Female bias sex ratio is advantageous to increase the parasitoid population in the field. 24-hour-old egg of stink bug and one-day old parasitoid is suitable for producing maximum progeny. 1 : 30 of parasitoid: host ratio is needed to regulate the estimated population in silkworm rearing field.