Koinobiont Parasitism and Biology of Braconid Parasitoids on Invasive Fall Armyworm Spodptera frugiperda (J.E. smith) in controlled condtions

Background The Fall Armyworm highly destructive insect pests across the world. The native parastoid species such as Chelonus spp. is prominent natural enemy of this pest. The natural control of Spodoptera frugiperda may achieved by parasitods be able to strong tool. Results This study compared the life cycles and effectiveness of two parasitoid wasps, Chelonus formosanus and Chelonus blackburni , in a laboratory conditions. The key developmental durations for Chelonus formosanus and Chelonus blackburni were as follows an incubation period of 24.27 and 24.64 hours, a total larval period of 17.55 and 18.55 days and a pupal period of 10.27 and 11.09 days, respectively. This resulted in a total development time of 27.82 days for Chelonus formosanus and 29.65 days for Chelonus blackburni . Adult females laid approximately 192 and 199 eggs on Spodoptera frugiperda eggs and lived for about 6.0 and 6.6 days, respectively. Adult males lived for roughly 4.2 and 4.6 days, respectively. The parasitism potential was also evaluated. Following exposure, 66.2% of hosts parasitized by Chelonus formosanus and 59.6% parasitized by Chelonus blackburni reached the pupation stage. The successful emergence rate of adult wasps from these pupae was 63.8% for Chelonus formosanus and 52.4% for Chelonus blackburni . Conclusion The results indicate that Chelonus formosanus demonstrated greater effectiveness as a biological control agent against S. frugiperda under the tested conditions.