Parasitoids of the Genus Trichogramma (hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), Natural Enemies of European Corn Borer Ostrinia Nubilalis (hübner, 1796) (lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Maize (Zea mays Linnaeus, 1753) is economically the most important crop in Serbia, while the European corn borer Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner, 1796) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is the its most significant pest of this crop. One of the potentially successful and environmentally friendly method for biological control of this pest is based on the usage of wasps from the genus Trichogramma Westwood, 1833 (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), which parasitize the egg clusters of European corn borer. From the aspect of biological control of agricultural pests, species of the genus Trichogramma represent the most important parasitoids of harmful Lepidoptera insects. The use of parasitoids of the genus Trichogramma in the biological control of agricultural pests is widely used in many developed countries. However, in certain geographical regions, including the Balkan countries, the potential of these insects in biological control has not yet been fully exploited. Native populations of this genus show a high practical potential in biological control that the agricultural sector of the Republic of Serbia does not use at all. The results of research conducted in Serbia, which show a high capacity for parasitism of indigenous species from local Trichogramma populations, especially when it comes to T. brassicae species, indicate the potential for commercial production of these beneficial insects and their targeted use in biological control of European corn borer. The aim of this review is to indicate the potential of parasitoids of the genus Trichogramma present on the territory of Serbia in programs of biological control of agricultural pests, primarily harmful Lepidoptera such as O. nubilalis.