Taxonomy, biology, and behavior of Trichogramma species.

Abstract This chapter provides information on the taxonomy, biology and behaviour of Trichogramma species. Females of Trichogramma lay 70-120 eggs on average and the number of eggs is proportional to the size of the host. The sequence of behaviors by Trichogramma wasps in parasitizing an egg is well characterized. The wasp (the natural enemy) is attracted by a kairomone (a chemical substance that can be perceived by the wasp) emitted from the scales of lepidopterans (the host). The symbiont Wolbachia, a bacterium that causes feminization, parthenogenesis or cytoplasmic incompatibility, is commonly present in Trichogramma.