Chelonus and Campoletis Species as Main Parasitoids of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith)1 in Forage Maize of Lagunera Region, Mexico

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), is considered the most important pest of maize (Zea mays L.) because of economic loss it causes. Hymenopteran parasitoids belonging mostly to Braconidae and lchneumonidae families are excellent biological control agents and therefore a viable alternative for managing the pest. The aim of the study was to identify the parasitoid species and parasitism rate of fall armyworm larvae from a plot of forage maize at Bermejillo, Durango, Mexico. Three hundred third to fifth instar fall armyworm larvae were collected; 36.4% (104) of which were parasitized by three hymenopteran species Chelonus insularis Cresson and Chelonus sonorensis Cameron (Braconidae: Cheloninae), and Campoletis sonorensis Cameron (Ichneumonidae: Campopleginae). Ch. insularis with 16.6% of parasitism was the most abundant parasitoid in fall armyworm larvae.