Improving Telenomus remus Field Deployment: Contribution for Adult Release and Release Density to Biological Control Success

Egg parasitoids, such as Telenomus remus, face significant challenges after release, as their pupae are exposed to various mortality factors that reduce the efficiency of biological control programs. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate a solid diet that In this context, this study aimed to evaluate a solid diet that allows feeding adults while still inside the release capsules, enabling its storage and field application for adults. Three independent bioassays were performed, each with 20 completely randomized replications. The first bioassay evaluated the acceptance of a solid feed, honey soaked in cotton thread, compared to the traditional form, honey droplets. In the second bioassay, the storage periods after emergence of adults in capsules with solid food were analyzed, at 2, 4, 6 and 8 days post-emergence and the third bioassay was studied the efficacy of different release densities under field conditions. The results showed that the solid diet was well accepted in relation to the traditional diet, in addition, T. remus resulted in lower mortality inside the capsules, living up to four days without significant reductions in biological parameters or parasitism capacity. Therefore, the recommended dose of 20,000 parasitoids per hectare is not enough to keep S. frugiperda under economic thresholds. The flexibility of until four days to the release and the insights regarding the densitys provide a valuable improvement to establish T. remus as a biocontrol agent.