Abstract:
The susceptibility of C. maculatus and D. basalis to Jatropha seed oil was evaluated under laboratory conditions. The adults of C. maculatus and D. basalis had the same susceptibility to Jatropha seed oil but the parasitoid was relatively more susceptible than its host at all treatment levels. The oil was also repellent to C. maculatus but its persistency declined from 15 to 60 days in storage. The eggs of C. maculatus were comparatively more susceptible to the Jatropha seed oil than those of the parasitoid due to the protection afforded by the grain. However, the larvae and pupae of C. maculatus showed a relatively lower susceptibility to the oil. It is possible to incorporate the oil in a well designed pest management programme taking advantage of the short persistency of the oil on grains and its relatively ineffectiveness against the C. maculatus pupae developing inside the grain.