MASS PRODUCTION OF PUPAL PARASITIOD TETRASTICHUS

Biologically-based IPM

·        Does not require large investment

·        Self-sustaining once established

·        Always there in the ecosystem working natural balance



REMINDER:

                  

§  It is important that leaves in the cultures should be regularly changed every 2 to 3 days to avoid build up of excessive moisture and the development of fungi that will cause death of the Brontispa cultures.

§  Allow at least 100 – 200 larvae or pupae in a rearing tray.

Mass Rearing the Pupal Parasitoid

·        Biology

§  Life cycle: from egg to adult: 12-18 days at 28 deg C

§  7 to 47 wasps emerge from one pupa

§  Adult stage: Females live for 7-10 days, Males for only 2-3 days; normally they die soon after mating

§  Females attack early pupal stage of the  Brontispa

§  Food of adult wasps: Honey, honey dew, nectar

 

FIELD RELEASE OF THE PUPAL PARASITOIDS (Tetrastichus sp.)

Step 1.        Make sure that areas to be released with the parasitoids are free from insecticide spray one month prior to the release.  Once the parasitoids are released, there should be no more application of insecticides.

 

Step 2.         Parasitoids can be released in the field as:

a.      Adult wasps

ü Wasps are fed with honey

ü Releases done early morning or late afternoon


ü Let wasps fly to find its host

b.     Mummies


Mummies that are 1-2 day    old before emergence are released

 


Place inside a suitable shelter and hang on coconut fronds or any suitable vegetation around the plantation  (10 mummies / ha).

Step 3. Releases of the parasitoids can be done on the advancing regions of Brontispa infestation. Since the parasitoids have high searching capacity of its host, it will work inwards the center of infestation.  By this method, the spread of infestation eventually  be contained.    


Recoveries

MONITORING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PARASITOIDS IN THE RELEASE AREAS

1.     Monitor monthly the impact of the parasitoids on the Brontispa population, by looking at damage level of the leaf spear and the young leaves in the central crown of the palm.

2.     Emergence of undamaged new leaf of the previously damaged palms indicates the establishment of the parasitoids as well as control of the Brontispa.

3.     Sampling for pest population count as well as level of parasitism can be done to ascertain control using parasitoids against Brontispa

4.     It will take 6 to 12 months after release before any clear signs of undamaged leaves can be observed on the palms.