Optimal Use of Plodia interpunctella as a Substitute Host for Cost-Effective Mass Rearing of Meteorus pulchricornis

Background Meteorus pulchricornis is an important parasitoid of various lepidopteran pests with promising applications in biological control. However, its large-scale application has been hindered by the challenges associated with rearing it on natural hosts. This study investigates the use of Plodia interpunctella , a stored-product pest, as a cost-effective and reliable substitute host for M. pulchricornis . Results While parasitoids reared on P. interpunctella showed slight reductions in body size and fecundity compared to those reared on its natural host Spodoptera frugiperda , key performance metrics—such as parasitism rate, cocoon formation rate, and adult emergence rate—did not differ significantly between the two host treatments. Conclusion P. interpunctella provides a feasible and cost-effective alternative host for rearing M. pulchricornis , offering substantial potential for its use in large-scale biological control programs targeting lepidopteran pests.