A Review of the Scientific Literature and Methods for Production of Factitious Hosts for Use in Mass Rearing of Trichogramma spp. (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) in the Former Soviet Union, the United States, Western Europe and China
Trichogramma spp. are important biological control agents for lepidopterous pests. Insectaries for mass rearing them, using factitious hosts, have been constructed in many countries. Selection of factitious hosts is based on the simplicity of their mass production, mechanization of rearing processes, and cost of production compared to that of utilizing target pest eggs. Scientific literature and personal experiences with the techniques used for production of factitious hosts for Trichogramma spp. in the former Soviet Union, the United States, Western Europe, and China are presented.
Contributor Notes
2Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Texas A&M University System, Weslaco, Texas 78596.
3Beneficial Insectary, 14751 Oak Run RD., Oak Run, CA 96069.
4USDA, ARS, Biological Control and Mass Rearing Research Unit, PO Box 5367, Mississippi State, MS 39762.
5USDA, ARS, Subtropical Agricultural Research Center, Beneficial Insects Research Unit, 2413 East Highway 83, Weslaco, Texas 78596.