Effect on total protein concentration (mg/g) of host larvae due to the frequent parasitization and time after parasitization by Bracon hebetor (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

This experiment was conducted to find out the impact of frequency of parasitization and time after parasitization on the host protein level parasitizing by Bracon hebetor (Say) which can be helpful in mass rearing of this parasitoid. This species acts as a biological control agent of the Indian meal moth Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) which is a serious pest of stored grain food products. The result of this work showed that there is significant difference among the frequency of parasitization by B. hebetor on the protein levels of the host larvae (F= 56.92, P<0.001) and the role of the physiological effects of the venom of B. hebetor on the total protein concentration of the larvae of P. interpunctella was not significant (P>0.05) but has mild effect due to the increase of the days after parasitization.