Research Advancements on Parasitoid Wasps for Pest Control at Tea Plantations

Parasitoid waspsthat lay eggs, which hatch into carnivorous larvae to feed on and kill the host,are a natural enemy to pests and can be a potential biological control tool fortea plantations. The diverse wasp families include Icheumonidae,Braconidae, Eulophidae, Trichgrammalidae, Mymaridae, Sarcophagidae, amongothers. The major species of interest, chemical ecology involved, currentstatus of application, and implementation of protection measures on theparasitoid insects for pest control at tea plantations are discussed.