The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of parasitism and biology of the parasitoid Palmistichus elaeisis Delvaree and La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) progeny in pupae of Thyrinteina arnobia Stoll (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) when reared on plants of Psidium guajavaor Eucalyptus cloeziana. Eggs of T. arnobia were collected and placed in organza bags involving branches of plants of P. guajava (T1) and E. cloeziana (T2) until the larvae reach the pupal stage. Thirty pupae from each treatment were placed in glass tubes and exposed to parasitism by four females of P. elaeisis for 24 hours. It was evaluated: the emergence of the parasitoid progeny per pupa, the percentage of parasitism, dead pupae and adults of T. arnobiaemerged, the duration of the life cycle (egg to adult), longevity, sex ratio, the size of the cephalic capsule and body of the parasitoid. The percentage of parasitism, emergence of P. elaeisis per pupa, the female longevity, the size of the cephalic capsule and body of the parasitoid males were smaller when its host was created in eucalyptus plants. This may have occurred due to the large number of secondary metabolic compounds present in this plant, which can be accumulated in the body of the herbivore, negatively affecting the natural enemy. Palmistichus elaeisis was more adapted to Myrtaceae native of America P. guajava.
Biological control; Myrtaceae; Tritrophic interaction
