Integrated management of three stored-product pest insects by use of the parasitic wasps Habrobracon hebetor, Venturia canescens, Lariophagus distinguendus and neem seed oil

L. distinguendus was used for the biological control of S. zeamais in maize stored in jute bags and bulk in an empty room. Sixty L. distinguendus(sex ratio of 1 male: 2 females) were released at a distance of 1.6 m from the jute bag. L. distinguendus penetrated and parasitized S. zeamais located in the jute bags and the storage cylinders at various depths in cylinders containing S. zeamais infested maize kernels, produced F1 offspring and reduced the emergence of the host weevil. In the biological control of Corcyra cephalonica using H. hebetor, sixty larvae of C. cephalonica were placed into cages and inserted a jute bag. Ten H. hebetor adults were released into the jute bag.The samples were sealed and placed in an empty climatized room. H. hebetor was able to significantly reduce the number of C. cephalonica and produce F1 progenies. The compatibility of Calneem oil, H. hebetor and V. canescens for the control of C. cephalonica and C. cautella in stored rice were evaluated in the laboratory. The treatments comprised grains treated with Calneem only, grain treated with 10 H.h. and/or V.c. only, grain treated with Calneem +H.h. or V.c and the treatment without Calneem and parasitoids served as control. Habrobracon hebetor and V. canescens significantly reduced the emergence of the two moths in all the treatments compared to the control. Calneem is compatible with parasitiods and has a good potential for the practical use as grain protectant for stored-product pest control. The scope of the presented results will be discussed.