Several insect pest species and their natural enemies are reared at ARC-PPRI Insectarium for research purposes. Natural enemies are introduced and, after quarantine, are studied in the laboratory and released in the field for biological control to augment the local assemblage of natural enemies.

  • DIAMONDBACK MOTH AND PARASITOIDS

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), is reared on canola seedlings. It serve as hosts for the rearing of the larval parasitoids, Cotesia plutellae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Diadegma mollipla (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae). These moths and their parasitoids are reared for research purposes.

  • AFRICAN BOLLWORM

The African bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is reared on an artificial diet for bioassays.

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