Rearing of Trilocha varians (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) on Ficus benjamina and its Parasitization with Trichogramma chilonis

Ficus benjamina commonly known as weeping fig is an ornamental that planted alongside the road to increase the aesthetic value. Leaf eating caterpillar, Trilocha varians was observed on Ficus benjamina and many other ornamental plants in the surrounding area of Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University. Large larval population was recorded on fig plants with 100 % defoliation. The rearing of Trilocha varians on F. benjamina was carried out under controlled conditions and parasitism of Trichogramma chilonis on eggs were checked. Incubation period was 5-6 days while single female laid 150-210 eggs in her whole life period. With five larval instars, duration period of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th was 2.0 days, 3-5 days, 2-4 days, 3-6 days and 3-7 days, respectively. Pupa was obtect in nature. Mated and unmated female were long lived as compared to male, 7.50 and 9.25 % egg parasitization was recorded at 16 and 24 hours of exposure, respectively. The coefficient variations were 89.50, 55.92, 42.21 and 29.59 at 12, 16, 20 and 24 h. To determine the larval damage, five different host plants belonging to moraceae family were used. The moderate damage of larvae was observed on Ficus religiosa. The severe feeding damage was observed on F. benjamina and F. virens, while M. alba and F. elastica were found not favorable hosts of T. varians. The study concluded that Trichogramma chilonis was recorded the most suitable parasitoid of T. varians and further need to record the natural enemies of the pest in the country.