Augmentation of Natural Enemies for Suppressing Two Major Insect Pests in Stored Farmers Stock Peanuts 1

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Abstract
Two commercial warehouses containing farmers stock peanuts were used to demonstrate ability of Bracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Xylocorts flavipes (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) to suppress field populations of Cadra cautella (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and Plodta interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). One warehouse (treatment) containing peanuts with only traces of malathion residues received periodic releases of B. hebetor and X. flavipes throughout the storage period from 5 October 1983 to 3 January 1984. The control warehouse received no natural enemies but contained peanuts conventionally treated with malathion. Moth populations in the treatment warehouse were 54–83% smaller than populations in the control warehouse throughout the storage period. Also, peanuts in the treatment warehouse sustained less insect damage during the storage period. Approximately 324,000 B. hebetor and 191,000 X. flavipes were released.