Susceptibility of immature stages of parasitoid Habrobracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to pesticides

Cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) is a polyphagous pest which attacks a wide variety of agricultural crops. Habrobracon hebetor Say is one of the most important natural enemies of H. armigera in Iran. Adults of H. hebetor were obtained from insectary of Plant Protection Bureau of Bilehsavar in Ardabil Province and reared on Anagasta kuehniella larvae in laboratory. Rearing condition was 6 ± ˚C, 70 ± 5 % RH, and photoperiod of 6: 8 hours (L: D). The effect of field recommended doses of Hexaflumuron, Profenofos, Spinosad and Thiodicarb were assessed on immature stages and the adult emergence of H. hebetor. Profenofos, Spinosad and Thiodicarb caused 7.6, 9, and 9.5 % reduction in adult emergence, respectively, and were classified as moderately harmful pesticides based on International Organization of Biological Control (IOBC) pesticide classification method. Hexaflumuron with 9.87 % reduction in adult emergence in spray method was classified as harmless.