Arrestment ofTelenomus remus(Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) by a Kairomone Associated with Eggs of Its Host,Spodoptera frugiperda(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Telenomus remusNixon females, but not males, were arrested after contacting a kairomone(s) extracted from eggs ofSpodoptera frugiperda(J. E. Smith). Bioassays were used to characterize the retention of the wasp in an area treated with the kairomone(s). The retention time in the treated area was affected by dose of the kairomone and also by the dimensions of the treated area. Female wasps were most sensitive to the kairomone, and were arrested for a longer period, at the beginning of the scotophase. Maximal response was exhibited by young, 2- to 4-day-old wasps. The wasps also were arrested by a kairomone(s) extracted from whole bodies of adult male or female moths.