First record and parasitism of egg parasitoid Trichogramma evanescens Westwood, 1833 (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) on eggs of Chilo partellus Swinhoe, 1885 (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in Turkey

Chilo partellus Swinhoe, 1885 (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), which is currently found in many parts of the world, is a very damaging maize stem borer in Indian subcontinent and South and Eastern Africa. In 2014, it was recorded for the first time in Turkey. This pest is normally controlled by insecticides. Concerns of the negative effects of incessant use of insecticides have necessitated exploration of more benign and natural control methods. This study investigated the occurrence and parasitism rates of some native egg parasitoids of C. partellus. In 2018, first and second maize crops were planted in the research field of the Department of Plant Protection, cukurova University (39 degrees 01'50.5 '' N, 35 degrees 21'06.7 '' E), in Adana, Turkey. Field was scouted once a week for parasitized egg masses. An egg parasitoid was recorded and morphologically identified as Trichogramma evanescens Westwood, 1833 (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae). The egg parasitoid was recorded in August-September 2018 for the first time on C. partellus in maize (second crop) with rate of parasitism reaching 100% on 16 August. It is suggested that T. evanescens can be used for future development of biological control programs against C. partellus.