Biologically-based IPM

 Does not require large investment

 Self-sustaining once established
 Always there in the ecosystem working a
natural balance

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 Mass Rearing of Brontispa as
host of parasitoid

Two Stages

Introducing adult parasitoids

to pupae of Brontispa

Field Release

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REMINDER:

 It is important that leaves in the cultures

should be regularly changed every 2 to 3
days to avoid build up of excessive moisture
and the development of fungi that will cause
death of the Brontispa cultures.

 Allow at least 100 – 200 larvae or pupae in a

rearing tray.

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 Mass Rearing the Pupal Parasitoid
Biology

• Life cycle: from egg to adult: 12-18 days at 28

deg C
• 7 to 47 wasps emerge from one pupa
• Adult stage: Females live for 7-10 days, Males
for only 2-3 days; normally they die soon after
mating
• Females attack early pupal stage of the
Brontispa
• Food of adult wasps: Honey, honey dew, nectar
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FIELD RELEASE OF THE PUPAL PARASITOIDS
(Tetrastichus sp.)

Step 1. Make sure that areas to be released with

the parasitoids are free from insecticide spray one
month prior to the release. Once the parasitoids are
released, there should be no more application of
insecticides.

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Step 2. Parasitoids can be released in the field as:

a. Adult wasps

 Wasps are fed with honey

 Let wasps fly to find its host
 Releases done early
morning or late afternoon

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 b. Mummies

Mummies that are 1-2 day Place inside a suitable shelter and
old before emergence are hang on coconut fronds or any
released suitable vegetation around the
plantation (10 mummies / ha).

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Step 3. Releases of the parasitoids can be done on
the advancing regions of Brontispa
infestation. Since the parasitoids have high
searching capacity of its host, it will work
inwards the center of infestation. By this
method, the spread of infestation eventually
be contained.

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Recoveries
 MONITORING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE
PARASITOIDS IN THE RELEASE AREAS

1.Monitor monthly the impact of the parasitoids on the Brontispa

population, by looking at damage level of the leaf spear and the
young leaves in the central crown of the palm.

2.Emergence of undamaged new leaf of the previously damaged

palms indicates the establishment of the parasitoids as well as
control of the Brontispa. 

3.Sampling for pest population count as well as level of parasitism

can be done to ascertain control using parasitoids against
Brontispa 

4.It will take 6 to 12 months after release before any clear signs of
undamaged leaves can be observed on the palms.
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