REARING OF NATURAL ENEMIES OF PIERIS BRASSICAE L. UNDER LABORATORY CONDITION

Abstract

Knowledge of the biological attributes of parasitiods plays a fundamental role in improved management of their pest host. Cotesia glomerata L., Diadegma pierisae (Rao), Pteromalus puparium L and Brachymeria lasus Walker are major indigenous parasitoid of Pieris brassicae L.in different parts of Pakistan. Rearing experiments of these parasitoids was done in Entomology section Agric Res. Institute Peshawar. Set of laboratory experiments was conducted to determine the Pieris brassicae L.  larval stage preference of Cotesia glomerata L., Diadegma pierisae (Rao), Pteromalus puparium L.and Brachymeria lasus Walker and their influence on life history traits. Results showed that maximium parasitization of Pteromalus puparium L. was 22.22% was in the 5^th instar larva, parasitoid mortality was 100% on 5^th instar and pre pupa. But no parasitization was recovered of Diadegma pierisae (Rao), Cotesia glomerata L. and Brachymeria lasus Walker when different instars of Pieris brassicae L. were provided.