Reproductive compatibility between Trichogramma australicum Girault (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) reared in eggs of Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and artificial diet

We studied reproductive compatibility between Trichogramma australicum reared in Helicoverpa armigera eggs (HA wasps) and artificial diet (AD wasps). Reproductive modes for both were arrhenotokous. The number of progeny produced by heterogamic AD male x HA female was not significantly different from the number of progeny produced by homogamic AD and HA wasps. The number of progeny produced by heterogamic HA male x AD female was not significantly different from homogamic AD wasps, but was significantly lower than the number of progeny produced by homogamic HA wasps. Homogamic parental females producing female progeny were not significantly different from those of heterogamic parental females. Artificial diet and HA wasps were bidirectionally, reproductively compatible.