Survey of Trichogramma Species Associated with Sugar Cane in Colombia

Diatraea spp. populations have been managed in some areas of the Cauca Valley, Colombia, by means of inundative releases of Trichogramma sp. However, recent field evaluations did not reveal significant benefits resulting from these liberations. Comparative taxonomic studies confirmed that two species were involved: T. pretiosum , the species reared and released commercially, and T. exiguum , the species obtained from Diatraea eggs collected in the field. Samples taken from different areas of the country showed that the only species found parasitizing Diatraea spp. eggs is T. exiguum . Additional information about morphological characterisitics is given to differentiate T. atopovirilia and T. fuentesi , other species found in Colombia and recorded in America as parasites of Diatraea spp. eggs. It is suggested that T. exiguum should be mass reared and released in commercial sugar cane fields to manage Diatraea spp. populations.