PROGENY PRODUCTION BY TRICHOGRAMMA MINUTUM (HYMENOPTERA: TRICHOGRAMMATIDAE) UTILIZING EGGS OF CHORISTONEURA FUMIFERANA (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE) AND SITOTROGA CEREALELLA (LEPIDOPTERA: GELECHIIDAE)

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Abstract
Mean daily progeny production by Trichogramma minutum (“Maine strain”) was 15.2 in Choristoneura fumiferana and 10.9 in Sitotroga cerealella eggs. Total progeny production was higher in S. cerealella, but not significantly different from that of C. fumiferana eggs. Significantly more eggs were deposited by T. minutum the first day than in subsequent days regardless of host. We found no significant relationship between progeny produced by females and the day of male death as previously reported. Ratio of females:males decreased significantly with increasing age and opposition activity of the mother. The oviposition period spanned 68% of the female's life span when S. cerealella eggs were available; whereas females spent significantly less time (60%) ovipositing in C. fumiferana eggs.