TRICHOPRIA-KHANDALUS (HYM, DIAPRIDAE) - A NEW BIOCONTROL AGENT OF THEUZIFLY EXORISTA-BOMBYCIS (DIPTERA, TACHINIDAE)

Biological control of the silkworm pest (Exorista bombycis) was partly successful by using a new hymemopteran biocontrol agent Trichopria kh andalus, recovered from the environs of a cocoon market in Hindupur di strict of Andhra Pradesh (India). T. khandalus is a tiny (1-1.5 mm) en doparasite, the Females were found to parasitize the uzifly puparia. T he progeny developed inside the uzi pupa, and the adults (140-160 indi viduals from a single pupa) emerged after about 18-25 days depending o n the seasonal extrinsic factors. The lift cycle of T. khandalus avera ged 32 days. Due to the favourable sex ratio (2:3 male/female) and hig h preference to parasitize uzi puparia it is qualified as a good bioco ntrol agent for the control of E. bombycis. Prospects for utilizing th is hyperparasite to manage and eliminate the uzi populations are discu ssed in the light of its data on biology, and easily manageable mass m ultiplication in the insectary.