Evaluation of Egg Parasitoid, Telenomus remus Nixon and Larval Parasitoid, Campoletis chlorideae Uchida on Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) in Castor

Egg mass of Spodoptera litura (Fab.)representing the size index of 60–150 was estimated to hold approximately 200 eggs. Release of 150 adults of Telenomus remus Nixon per one egg patch (200 eggs) of S.litura on castor gave maximum per cent parasitism. Higher per cent parasitism of S. litura larvae by Campoletis chlorideae Uchida was achieved by releasing parasitoid host ratio of 1:15. Desired level of parasitism (96.99%) of S. litura eggs on castor was obtained with the release of T. remus indicating that this parasitoid could be used effectively for management of S. litura on castor. Potential of C. chlorideae as a larval parasitoid of S. litura was established in the present studies indicating that it could be integrated with other biocontrol tools. The role of larval parasitoid becomes crucial in case some eggs escape parasitism by T. remus.