D3368: Biological control of western bean cutworm, releasing Trichogramma wasps in corn fields

The western bean cutworm, Striacosta albicosta (Lepidotera: Noctuidae) is a pest of corn in Quebec (Canada). This pest is typically manage using insecticides or transgenic hybrids expressing Bt traits.

An alternative method is the use of biological control agents, such as Trichogramma wasps who kill the insect at egg stage.

During the last years, we have released Trichogrammas in corn field to evaluate the potential of this strategie to manage the western bean cutworm populations. We observed the parasitism of egg masses and the damage on corn ears.

Preliminary results suggest that Trichogrammas could be a potential strategy to manage western bean cutworm.