Deleterious effects of Bacillus thuringiensis on biological parameters of Habrobracon hebetor parasitizing Helicoverpa armigera

作者：Sedaratian Amin; Fathipour Yaghoub^*; Talaei Hassanloui Reza

来源：BioControl, 2014, 59(1): 89-98.

DOI：10.1007/s10526-013-9531-1

• Helicoverpa armigera
• Bacillus thuringiensis
• Habrobracon hebetor
• Biological control
• Integrated pest management

The bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Berliner and the braconid wasp Habrobracon hebetor Say are valuable biocontrol agents attacking larval stages of Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner). Little information is available regarding combination of these biocontrol agents during integrated management of H. armigera. To address this knowledge gap, we document sublethal effects of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk) on the H. hebetor attacking H. armigera larvae infected with Btk. The results revealed that the duration of different life stages and fecundity of H. hebetor was significantly affected by sublethal treatments with Btk. We also present data supporting that sublethal concentrations of Btk could adversely affect life table parameters of H. hebetor. Sublethal treatments reduced the net reproductive rate (R (0)) and there were also significant differences among the values of this parameter at all treatments tested. The intrinsic (r (m) ) and finite (lambda) rates of increase were also significantly lower in parasitoid wasps reared on the treated larvae of H. armigera compared to control. These findings will be useful to develop appropriate strategies for assessing the risks of Btk to the parasitoids and safe deployment of both organisms in integrated pest management programs for sustainable crop production.

• 出版日期2014-2