Evaluation on Impact of Extrafloral Nectar of Kenaf, Hibiscus cannabinus L. (Malvaceae) on the Efficiency of Aenasius arizonensis (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)

Extrafloral nectar (EFN) is one of the important and sustainable food source on plants which plays major role on the structuring of arthropod communities and efficiency of natural enemies. Thus it is well known for protecting plants with indirect defence mechanism against herbivores. The present Study was conducted to observe the effect of EFN on life history parameters and parasitism of Aenasius arizonensis in the Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University. Longevity of A. arizonensis was found highest in female and male as 32.60 and 23.70 days when fed with EFN respectively which was followed by 100% honey and glucose. Among the treatments EFN and 100% honey the number of female, male progenies produced per female were ranged from (highest to lowest) 57.00, 19.40 to 5.00, 1.00 and 30.00, 17.50 to 1.40, 1.00 respectively during five weeks. Provision of EFN and 100% honey to mated female produced 39.90 and 20.39 eggs during five weeks respectively. Sex ratio (female) of A. arizonensis was recorded highest as 83.33 in EFN at 5th week and 63.16 in 100% honey at 2nd week. Parasitization of A. arizonensis on Phenacoccus solenopsis was found highest as 79.42 for EFN and 45.24 for 100% honey during third and second week respectively. Thus, providing EFN can boost parasitoid survival, fecundity, sex ratio (female) and parasitism rates.