This research was conducted to evaluate Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) egg parasitization by Trichogramma spp. on three different maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes: BR 205 (normal yellow endosperm), BR 451 (white endosperm, high quality protein maize) and BR 400 (sweet yellow endosperm). The genotypes were planted in two ways: all genotypes planted in the same day (1st trial), and with one week interval to equalize the flowering period: first the BR 205, followed by BR 451 and BR 400. On both trials there was no effect of maize genotypes on H. zea egg infestation or parasitism by Trichogramma spp. (average of 8.0 in the 1st and 1.8 eggs/ear in the 2nd trial). However, the parasitism varied significantly among cultivars, being 62.4% in BR 451, 47.0% in BR 205 and 34.1 in BR 400.
Insecta; biological control; corn earworm; egg parasitoid
