COMPARISON OF HEMOLYMPH AND HOLOTISSUES OF DIFFERENT SPECIES OF INSECTS AS DIET COMPONENTS FOR IN-VITRO REARING OF TRICHOGRAMMA-GALLOI ZUCCHI AND TRICHOGRAMMA-PRETIOSUM RILEY

The aim of this work was to compare pupal holotissues (Diatraea saccha ralis, Anticarsia gemmatalis, and Bombyx mori) and larval hemolymph of several moth species (Helicoverpa tea and Bombyx mori) commonly produ ced in Brazilian laboratories as components of artificial diets for in vitro rearing of Trichogramma galloi and Trichogramma pretiosum. Diet s based on larval hemolymph of H. tea produced the best development of both natural enemies, although a diet with pupal holotissues of B. mo ri allowed full development of I: pretiosum. Amino acid analysis showe d qualitative differences among the insect derivates and eggs of the n atural and alternative hosts, but with a quantitative similarity. Elec trophoretic analysis resulting in a diverse protein-stained bands evid enced the qualitative differences among these components. (C) 1996 Aca demic Press, Inc.