Genetic variability and demographic history of Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) populations from Brazil inferred by mtDNA sequences

Intra-and inter-population genetic variability and the demographic history of Heliothis virescens (F.) populations were evaluated by using mtDNA markers (coxI, coxII and nad6) with samples from the major cotton-and soybean-producing regions in Brazil in the growing seasons 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10. AMOVA indicated low and non-significant genetic structure, regardless of geographical scale, growing season or crop, with most of genetic variation occurring within populations. Clustering analyzes also indicated low genetic differentiation. The haplotype network obtained with combined datasets resulted in 35 haplotypes, with 28 exclusive occurrences, four of them sampled only from soybean fields. The minimum spanning network showed star-shaped structures typical of populations that underwent a recent demographic expansion. The recent expansion was supported by other demographic analyzes, such as the Bayesian skyline plot, the unimodal distribution of paired differences among mitochondrial sequences, and negative and significant values of neutrality tests for the Tajima's D and Fu's F-S parameters. In addition, high values of haplotype diversity ((H) over cap) and low values of nucleotide diversity (pi), combined with a high number of low frequency haplotypes and values of theta(pi)<theta(W), suggested a recent demographic expansion of H. virescens populations in Brazil. This demographic event could be responsible for the low genetic structure currently found; however, haplotypes present uniquely at the same geographic regions and from one specific host plant suggest an initial differentiation among H. virescens populations within Brazil.

Insecticidal Activity of the Granulosis Virus in Combination with Neem Products and Talc Powder Against the Potato Tuberworm Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

The potato tuberworm Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) is an important agricultural pest that causes significant economic losses to potato growers worldwide. The addition of an effective method of biological control for the potato tuberworm is greatly needed, and is currently unavailable in Brazil. The granulosis virus (Baculoviridae) is a promising biological control agent to protect post-harvest potatoes and in storage from the potato tuberworm. However, the control measure must be economically feasible. Liquid suspensions of a granulosis virus applied alone or in mixture with two commercial neem oil-based products (DalNeem (TM) and NeemAzal (TM)), and a dry powder formulation of viral granules were evaluated for control of potato tuberworm larvae by treating potato tubers under laboratory conditions. High larval mortality (86.7%) was achieved when DalNeem and virus were applied together at 4 mg of azadirachtin/L and 10(4) occlusion bodies (OBs)/mL, respectively. This combination resulted in a parts per thousand yen50% efficacy in relation to their counterparts alone. Conversely, NeemAzal did not enhance virus effectiveness against larvae of the potato tuberworm. The talc-based virus formulation was used for dusting seed tubers at different concentrations and resulted in 100% larval mortality at 5 x 10(8) OBs/g. Formulated and unformulated virus provided 50% mortality at 166 OBs/g and at 5.0 x 10(5) OBs/mL, respectively. As a result, talc-based virus formulation had a better control efficiency on potato tuberworm than the aqueous virus suspension. The granulosis virus combined with DalNeem at low rates or formulated with talc powder is a viable option to control the potato tuberworm under storage conditions.

Assessment of the high-dose concept and level of control provided by MON 87701 x MON 89788 soybean against Anticarsia gemmatalis and Pseudoplusia includens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Brazil

BACKGROUND: Genetically modified MON 87701 X MON 89788 soybean (Glycine max), which expresses the Cry1Ac and EPSP-synthase proteins, has been registered for commercial use in Brazil. To develop an Insect Resistance Management (IRM) program for this event, laboratory and field studies were conducted to assess the high-dose concept and level of control it provides against Anticarsia gemmatalis and Pseudoplusia includens. RESULTS: The purified Cry1Ac protein was more active against A. gemmatalis [LC50 (FL 95%) = 0.23 (0.150.34) mu g Cry1Ac mL-1 diet] than P. includens [LC50 (FL 95%) = 3.72 (2.654.86) mu g Cry1Ac mL-1 diet]. In bioassays with freeze-dried MON 87701X MON 89788 soybean tissue diluted 25 times in an artificial diet, there was 100% mortality of A. gemmatalis and up to 95.79% mortality for P. includens. In leaf-disc bioassays and under conditions of high artificial infestation in the greenhouse and natural infestation in the field, MON 87701X MON 89788 soybean showed a high level of efficacy against both target pests. CONCLUSIONS: The MON 87701X MON 89788 soybean provides a high level of control against A. gemmatalis and P. includes, but a high-dose event only to A. gemmatalis. Copyright (c) 2012 Society of Chemical Industry

Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Female Moths Respond to Herbivore-Induced Corn Volatiles

In response to herbivore attack, plants release herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) that represent important chemical cues for herbivore natural enemies. Additionally, HIPVs have been shown to mediate other ecological interactions with herbivores. Differently from natural enemies that are generally attracted to HIPVs, herbivores can be either attracted or repelled depending on several biological and ecological parameters. Our study aimed to assess the olfactory response of fall armyworm-mated female moths toward odors released by mechanically and herbivore-induced corn at different time intervals. Results showed that female moths strongly respond to corn volatiles, although fresh damaged corn odors (0-1 h) are not recognized by moths. Moreover, females preferred volatiles released by undamaged plant over herbivore-induced plants at 5-6 h. This preference for undamaged plants may reflect an adaptive strategy of moths to avoid competitors and natural enemies for their offspring. We discussed our results based on knowledge about corn volatile release pattern and raise possible explanations for fall armyworm moth behavior.

Biochemical Analysis of a Castor Bean Leaf Extract and its Insecticidal Effects Against Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Plant extracts represent a great source of molecules, with insecticidal activity, which are used for pest control in several crop production systems. This work aimed to evaluate the toxicity of an aqueous extract of leaves of castor bean against larvae of Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in search for different classes of molecules with insecticidal activities by using in vitro assays. The effects of the castor bean leaf extract on the food utilization, development, and survival of S. frugiperda larvae was evaluated by feeding the larvae an artificial diet supplemented with different concentrations of the extract (0%, 1%, 2.5%, 5%, and 10% w/v). The effects observed were dose-dependent, and the highest concentration evaluated (10% w/v) was the one the most affected food utilization by altering the nutritional indices, as well as larval weight gain, development time, and survivorship. In vitro assays to detect saponins, lectins, and trypsin inhibitors in the castor bean leaf extract were performed, but only trypsin inhibitors were detected. No preference for the diet source was detected in S. frugiperda by feeding the larvae in choice experiments with diets containing different concentrations of the castor bean extract tested. The data obtained indicate the existence of a potential molecule in the tested extract of castor bean to be used as an alternative insecticide to be integrated in the management of S. frugiperda.

Biotransformation of 4-nerolidylcatechol by Heraclides brasiliensis (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) reduces the toxicity of Piper umbellata (Piperaceae)

Heraclides brasiliensis (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) larvae feed preferably on Piperaceae, foraging successfully on leaf tissues even though species of this contain high levels of secondary metabolites such as amides and lignans, associated with diverse biological activities including insecticidal properties. Studies examining the metabolism of chemical constituents in Piperaceae by insects are rare. In this study, we characterized the metabolites of 4-nerolidylcatechol (4-NC), the major constituent of Piper umbellata (Piperaceae), and E-2,3-dihydro-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)farnesoic acid, compounds from fecal material of H. brasiliensis larvae fed a diet containing only P. umbellata leaves. The biotransformed product was also detected in larval and pupal tissues. Moreover, we observed deactivation of the toxicity of P. umbellata leaves against brine shrimp after their metabolism in H. brasiliensis larvae from a LC50 of 523.3 to 3,460.7 mu g/mL. This deactivation is closely associated with the biotransformation of 4-NC to E-2,3-dihydro-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)farnesoic acid, which showed LC50 of 8.0 and >1,000 mu g/mL, respectively.

FRUGIVORY OF NEOSILBA SPECIES (DIPTERA: LONCHAEIDAE) AND THEPYTUS ECHELTA (LEPIDOPTERA: LYCAENIDAE) ON PSITTACANTHUS (SANTALALES: LORANTHACEAE) IN ECOTONAL CERRADO-SOUTH PANTANAL, BRAZIL

This paper presents a survey of the insects that feed on fruits of Psittacanthus Martius (Santalales: Loranthaceae), a hemiparasitic mistletoe genus that infects trees in Brazil and other neotropical countries. The aim of the study was to identify candidate insects for biological control of Psittacanthus mistletoes. Unripe and mature fruits were collected in several localities of Cerrado, bordering South Pantanal, Southwestern Brazil, from 29 Apr 1998 to 30 Jul 2000. A total of 24,710 fruits (54 samples) of Psittacanthus acinarius infecting 15 species from 10 plant families were evaluated. Psittacanthus acinarius (Mart.) was the most abundant and frequent species of mistletoe parasitizing trees in the ecotonal Cerrado-Pantanal. From 24,710 fruits of Psittacanthus acinarius were obtained 1,812 insect larvae including 1,806 Neosilba McAlpine (Diptera: Lonchaeidae) species and 6 Thepytus echelta (Hewitson) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae). From these emerged 1,550 Neosilba spp. adults and 6 T. echelta. Neosilba pantanense Strikis was described from this research. Larvae of T. echelta occurred in fruits of P. acinarius parasitizing Cecropia pachystachya Trecul (Urticaceae) and Anadenanthera colubrina (Vellozo) Brenan (Fabaceae). Larvae of Neosilba caused no adverse effects on the germination of infected fruits of Psittacanthus, because they do not eat the embryo or viscin tissues. This differs from the larvae of T. echelta that interrupted the germination of seeds by feeding on those tissues. Thepytus echelta may be a promising insect for the biological control of P. acinarius in the ecotonal Cerrado-Pantanal, although its abundance and frequency were low throughout the sampling period.

Biological Characteristics and Thermal Requirements of the Biological Control Agent Telenomus remus (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) Reared on Eggs of Different Species of the Genus Spodoptera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The biological characteristics of Telenomus remus Nixon, 1937 (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) on eggs of Spodoptera albula (Walker, 1857); S. cosmioides Walker 1858, S. eridania (Cramer, 1782); and S. frugiperda (Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were evaluated under different temperatures (19, 22, 25, 28, 31, and 34 degrees C +/- 1 degrees C). The duration of the T remus egg-to-adult period on eggs of all four Spodoptera species and the longevity of adults of T. remus were both inversely proportional to the increase in temperature. Parasitoid emergence was higher than 80% at temperatures from 19 to 28 degrees C when the parasitoid was reared on eggs of S. eridania and S. frugiperda. Differently, when the parasitoid was reared on eggs of S. albula and S. cosmioides, T. remus emergence at rates of 80% or higher just occurred from 22 to 25 degrees C and at 22 degrees C, respectively. At 34 degrees C, this parameter was lower than 30% for T reams reared in all hosts. The sex ratio was 64-86% females, except for T. remus in S. cosmioides eggs at 34 C, in which temperature it was 39%. The estimated thermal requirements of T. remus, for the thermal constant (K) and the base temperature (T(base)), were: 125.39 DD and 15.139 degrees C; 125.56 DD and 14.912 degrees C; 142.98 DD and 14.197 degrees C; and 149.16 DD and 13.846 degrees C, for S. cosmioides, S. frugiperda, S. albula, and S. eridania, respectively. In general, T. remus showed good parasitism potential on all the hosts, although eggs of S. frugiperda, S. eridania, and S. albula proved to be the most suitable for mass rearing of T reams in the laboratory. Eggs of S. cosmioides are less suitable because of the lower parasitoid emergence observed at most of the temperatures with exception of 22 degrees C.

Description of the Pupa and Redescription of the Imagines of Geyeria decussata and their Association with Bromeliads in Southern Brazil (Lepidoptera: Castniidae)

ALBERTONI F F [Fed Univ, Florianopolis, Brazil], MORAES S S [Mus Zool USP, Sao Paulo, Brazil], STEINER J [Fed Univ. Florianopolis, Brazil] & ZILLIKENS A [Univ Tubingen, Germany]: Description of the Pupa and Redescription of the Imagines of Geyeria decussata and their Association with Bromeliads in Southern Brazil (Lepidoptera: Castniidae). - Entomol Gener 34 (1-2): 061-074: Stuttgart 2012-09. - [Article] Bromeliads can serve as a resource for numerous arthropods, especially insects. Caterpillars of the moth Geyeria decussata (Godart 1824) were recorded in the leaf rosettes of the bromeliads Wittrockia superba, Vriesea philippocoburgii and Aechmea nudicaulis. The larvae were feeding on the leaf bases, eventually killing the plants. In addition to life history data a description of the pupa and a re-description of the imagines are provided here. These findings constitute new records of larval hosts for this species and confirm a close association of castniid moths and bromeliads.

Biologia di Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), interazioni con l’ambiente e valutazione di tecniche di contenimento ecocompatibili

Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) è un lepidottero originario dell’America meridionale, infeudato a pomodoro e ad altre solanacee coltivate e spontanee. Con l’attività trofica le larve causano mine fogliari e gallerie nei frutti, con conseguenti ingenti danni alle colture. T. absoluta è stato segnalato per la prima volta in Italia nel 2008 e in Piemonte nel 2009. Pertanto le ricerche sono state condotte per rilevarne la distribuzione in Piemonte, studiarne l’andamento di popolazione in condizioni naturali e controllate, e valutare l’efficacia di differenti mezzi di lotta al fine di definire le strategie di difesa. Il monitoraggio, condotto nel 2010, ha evidenziato come T. absoluta sia ormai largamente diffuso sul territorio regionale già pochi mesi dopo la segnalazione. L’insetto ha mostrato di prediligere condizioni climatiche più miti; infatti è stato ritrovato con maggiore frequenza nelle aree più calde. Il fitofago ha raggiunto densità di popolazione elevate a partire dalla seconda metà dell’estate, a ulteriore dimostrazione che, in una regione a clima temperato come il Piemonte, T. absoluta dà origine a infestazioni economicamente rilevanti solo dopo il culmine della stagione estiva. Per definire le strategie di lotta, sono state condotte prove in laboratorio, semi-campo e campo volte a valutare la tossicità nei confronti del lepidottero di preparati a base di emamectina benzoato, rynaxypyr, spinosad e Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner. In campo è stata verificata anche l’efficacia del miride dicifino Macrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur), reperibile in commercio. In tutte le prove, è stata riscontrata una maggiore efficacia di rynaxypyr ed emamectina benzoato. In campo M. pygmaeus ha mostrato difficoltà d’insediamento ed è stato in grado di contenere efficacemente il fitofago soltanto con bassi livelli d’infestazione. Per contro è stata costantemente osservata la presenza naturale di un altro miride dicifino Dicyphus errans (Wolff), che in laboratorio ha mostrato di non essere particolarmente disturbato dalle sostanze saggiate.

Untersuchungen zur biologischen Bekämpfung der Kleidermotte Tineola bisselliella (Hummel 1823) und anderer tineider Textilschädlinge (Lepidoptera: Tineidae) mit parasitoiden Hymenopteren

Nach den Ergebnissen der vorliegenden Arbeit ist eine biologische Bekämpfung von Kleider- und Pelzmotten durch die gezielte Freilassungen von parasitoiden Hymenopteren als deren natürliche Gegenspieler möglich. Es wurden erstmalig ausführliche Versuche zur Parasitierung der Kleider- und Pelzmotte, insbesondere durch Eiaparasitoide der Gattung Trichogramma, durchgeführt. Für die braconide Schlupfwespe Apanteles carpatus wurde eine Zucht- und Freilassungsmethode entwickelt. Sie kann nun als neuer Nützlinge gegen textilschädigende Mottenlarven eingesetzt werden. Eine natürliche Parasitierung textilschädigender Motten durch Eiparasitoide ist bislang nicht nachgewiesen worden. Die Tineiden erwiesen sich im Laborversuch für Trichogramma als gut geeignete Wirte. Hinsichtlich der praktischen Anwendung von Eiparasitoiden der Gattung Trichogramma konnte aus einer Auswahl von 29 Arten und Stämmen aus einer Laborzucht mit T. piceum (Stamm: PIC M 91) eine besonders geeignete Art selektiert werden. Dieser Stamm zeigte die höchste Parasitierungsrate mit über 80 Eiern bei Temperaturen von 20-25°C und einer Lebensdauer von bis zu 17 Tagen. Im Präferenztest wurden sowohl Eier der Kleidermotte als auch der Getreidemotte, dem Massenzuchtwirt, von allen Stämmen mit Abstand am besten parasitiert. Das Geschlechterverhältnis von T. piceum lag bei über 80%. Der untersuchte Stamm von Apanteles carpatus zeigte bei 25°C eine durchschnittliche Nachkommenzahl von 55 pro Weibchen. Die Parasitoide erreichten jedoch nur unter optimalen Bedingungen eine Lebensdauer von bis zu 14 Tagen. In den Käfigversuchen ohne zusätzliche Nahrungsquellen wurden die Tiere nicht älter als 4 Tage. Es war nicht möglich, für A. carpatus Ersatzwirte für eine Massenzucht zu finden, da sie offensichtlich auf Tineiden spezialisiert sind, jedoch konnte ein Zuchtsystem mit Kleidermotten als Zuchtwirte etabliert werden. Die ausgewählten Trichogramma-Arten wurden in Käfigversuchen ausführlich untersucht und im Hinblick auf ihre Suchleistung auf verschiedenen Stoffoberflächen geprüft. Es wurde festgestellt, dass die getesteten Arten sehr unterschiedlich geeignet sind, um Textilien nach Eiern abzusuchen. Die Arten T. evanescens (Stamm: Lager) und T. piceum (PIC M 91) erwiesen sich als in der Suchleistung als am besten geeignet. Im Vergleich dazu zeigte T. cacoeciae (CAC D 90 O) sehr wenig Suchleistugsvermögen auf Textilien. Die geeigneten Arten durchdrangen außer verschiedenen Textilien auch grobe Schafwolle bis zu 0,4 m vom Freilassungsort. Das Ködern von Larvalparasitoiden von tineiden Motten im Freiland erwies sich als nicht erfolgreich. Trotzdem in der Literatur eine Reihe parasitoider Hymenopteren als Gegenspieler von Tineiden beschrieben sind und in Innenräumen beobachtet wurden, war es nicht möglich, weitere freilebende Arten zu ködern. Sowohl für das Ködern im Freiland als auch für die Rückköderung in Lagern wurden Ködermethoden getestet und optimiert. Nebenwirkungstests haben ergeben, dass die Nützlinge ergänzend zum Einsatz von Niem-Präparaten an schlecht zugänglichen Befallsstellen eingesetzt werden können. Ebenso wurde ermittelt, dass eine Kombination des Nützlingseinsatzes mit Repellents möglich ist. Bei zu hoher Konzentration der Wirkstoffe, den reinen Niem-Öl und konzentriertem Lavendel-Öl, in geschlossenen Glaskäfigen, wurden starke Nebenwirkungen auf Trichogramma festgestellt. In größerem Raumvolumen oder geringerer Dosierung der Wirkstoffe parasitierte Trichogramma allerdings auch Ködereier, die sich auf Niem-behandeltem Stoff befanden. Erste Freilassungsversuche in der Praxis ergaben unterschiedliche Erfolge. Nach einer Freilassung von Apanteles carpatus in einem Wohnhaus, das mit Schafwolle gedämmt wurde, reduzierte sich Fang von adulten Motten auf Pheromon-Klebfallen deutlich. In einem Textillager hingegen war es mit einer einmaligen Freilassung jedoch nicht möglich, die Gegenspieler zu etablieren und den Mottenbefall zu kontrollieren. Die mehrwöchige Freilassung von Trichogramma in einem Textillager konnte dazu beitragen, einen Pelzmottenbefall zu reduzieren. Hier zeigten sich Möglichkeiten und Grenzen des Einsatzes von parasitoiden Schlupfwespen gegen Textilmotten gleichermaßen.

Temperature-dependent phenology of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

Temperature-dependent population growth of diamondback moth (DBM) Plutella xylostella (L.), a prolific insect pest of crucifer vegetables, was studied under six constant temperatures in the laboratory. The objective of the study was to predict the impacts of temperature changes on the population of DBM at high-resolution scales along altitudinal gradients and under climate change scenarios. Non-linear functions were fitted on the data for modeling the development, mortality, longevity and oviposition of the pest. The best-fitted functions for each life stage were compiled for estimating the life table parameters of the species by stochastic simulations. To quantify the impacts on the pest, three indices (establishment, generation and activity) were computed using the estimates of life table parameters and temperature data obtained at local scale (current scenario 2013) and downscaled climate change data (future scenario 2055) from the AFRICLIM database. To measure and represent the impacts of temperature change along the altitude on the pest; the indices were mapped along the altitudinal gradients of Kilimanjaro and Taita Hills, in Tanzania and Kenya, respectively. Potential impact of the changes between climate scenarios 2013 and 2055 was assessed. The data files included in this database were utilized for the above analysis to develop temperature dependent phenology of Plutella xylostella to assess current and future distribution along eastern African Afromontanes.

Actividad insecticida de Ricinus Communis L. sobre Plodia Interpunctella Hbn. (Lepidoptera: Phycitinae).

La aplicación de insecticidas sintéticos como principal sistema de control de plagas de granos y productos almacenados ha originado el desarrollo de poblaciones de insectos resistentes a dichos químicos, la contaminación del medio ambiente y la acumulación de sustancias tóxicas en los alimentos. En este trabajo se evaluaron los efectos de la aplicación de molido de hojas de ricino sobre larvas de la «polilla de las harinas» (Lepidoptera: Phycitinae). Los molidos vegetales se obtuvieron a partir de hojas de Ricinus communis L. secadas en estufa a 40 ± 2 °C durante 48 horas y posteriormente molidas hasta lograr un polvo de textura similar a la harina de maíz, material con el que se mezcló a fin de lograr concentraciones de 5, 10 y 15 % y un testigo sin ricino. Las unidades experimentales consistieron en cajas de Petri con seis larvas de primer y segundo estadio y se efectuaron cinco repeticiones por tratamiento (n=120). Se registró el número de larvas, pupas y adultos vivos, cada cuatro días, hasta que las larvas sobrevivientes llegaron al estado adulto. Se calcularon los porcentajes de eficacia mediante la fórmula de Abbott. Los resultados se evaluaron por ANVA y test de Tukey. Se determinaron el tiempo efectivo medio (TE50) y concentración efectiva media (CE50) por el método Probit. Los resultados de mortalidad indicaron que la concentración al 15 % superó significativamente al resto de los tratamientos y al testigo.

Evaluation of the attack rates and level of damages by the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), affecting corn-crops in the northeast of Argentina

The fall armyworm (FAW) is the most important threat to corn crops in Argentina, and there exists very little up-to-date information on its actual pest status because the available literature was published more than 20 years ago. Therefore, field surveys were carried out in the northeast of Argentina, in order to establish the attack rates and injury levels of the pest in relation to the crop phenology. The study was carried out at two localities: Colonia Benítez, an agricultural region, and Tapenagá, a cattle-raising area. At each site two 1-ha plots were sown either with a Bt-corn expressing Cry 1F protein or with an untransformed corn germplasm. Optimal and late sowing was assayed and FAW larval abundance, relative age composition, attack rates and level of damage to corn were recorded. At the moment of the field experiments, Bt-corn was not affected by FAW larvae. However, untransformed germplasms were severely affected by FAW larvae, with an average of attacked plants of 18% or more. In contrast to data obtained 30 years ago, higher values of FAW density were registered. Levels of damage to corn plants were higher after the V4 stage. It was found that the sowing date affected the infestation levels and early seeding avoided high armyworm densities that develop later in the season; in northern Argentina, this was only relevant in agricultural areas.

Evaluación de los efectos de la composición de la dieta artificial para la cría de Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) y Cotesia flavipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

El control biológico aumentativo de Diatrae saccharalis Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) requiere la cría masiva del parasitoide Cotesia flavipes Cameron (Braconidae: Microgastrinae) y por ello, es necesario el desarrollo de dietas artificiales eficientes. El objetivo fue examinar los efectos de distintos tipos de dieta sobre parámetros biológicos de D. saccharalis y su impacto en la producción de cocones de C. flavipes. Se sembraron 46136 huevos de D. saccharalis en once combinaciones de dietas artificiales, con dos tipos de harinas y tres tipos de antibióticos. Los resultados mostraron que la composición de la dieta afectó los parámetros biológicos de ambas especies. La mayor eficiencia en la cría se obtuvo con el empleo de combinaciones de harina de poroto y ampicilina. Sin embargo, si se considera la relación entre costos de producción y parámetros biológicos, la dieta con harina de poroto, oxitetraciclina y estreptomicina resulta más adecuada para la cría masiva.