Effect of honey feeding on longevity and fecundity of Uscana mukerjii (Mani) (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), an egg parasitoid of bruchids attacking stored products (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

Feeding of freshly emerged mated and virgin females of Uscana mukerjii (Mani) with raw honey during their entire life span resulted in increases of 2.4 and 2.5 times, respectively, in their longevity, and a 1.5 times increase in their fecundity. However, feeding on honey for a short duration (1 day/2 days) did not increase longevity or fecundity of the parasitoid significantly. Mortality of parasitised eggs was not much different whether the female parasitoids were fed or unfed. Honey feeding to adult parasitoids improved their potential for biological control appreciably as compared to their unfed counterparts.