RECORD OF Tetrastichus howardi (HYMENOPTERA: EULOPHIDAE) PARASITIZING Diatraea sp. (LEPIDOPTERA: CRAMBIDAE) IN SUGARCANE CROP IN BRAZIL

Abstract

The biological control has been considered a viable alternative and new research are carried out to improving efficiency or addition of new natural enemies. We present the record of Tetrastichus howardi (Olliff, 1893) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) parasitizing Diatraea sp. (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) larvae and pupae. Diatraea sp. pupae parasitized by T. howardi were collected in the sugarcane crop in Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil and has been maintained on D. saccharalis pupae in laboratory. Beyond recording this natural enemy in the field, data on parasitism of D. saccharalis larvae in laboratory by T. howardi are presented. These results indicate that T. howardi parasitize and develops into Diatraea sp. larvae and pupae and its potential biocontrol agent of this pest in the sugarcane crop should be investigated.