The Effect of Some Sugar Supplemented Diet with Various Sucrose Ratios on the Life Cycle and Egg Productivity of the Adult Females of Pimpla turionellae L. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of nutrition which consisted of 7% of ribose, rhamnose, arabinose, and xylose supplemented with 0, 7, and 14% of sucrose respectively on the life cycle and egg production of the adult females of Pimpla turionellae, In all experimental combinations, the nutritions containing 7% of ribose, rhamnose, arabinose, and xylose had an effect on the insects to which lived approximately 9 days and the addition of sucrose could extend this period in some way. The time extension was significantly at low level compared to the control (except for the combination of 7% ribose and 14% sucrose). All nutrient combinations caused remarkable decreases in egg productivity of the insect. The nutrition, except 7% arabinose and 7% sucrose combination, did not affect egg hatching.

Results of this study suggest that P torionellae require sucrose rather than ribose, rhamnose, arabinose, and xylose to optimise the life cycle and egg production. We conclude that future researchers should investigate the effect of sugar at these levels, but also that we need a better understanding of which proportion of toxic sugar will reduce pest populations in the field.