The Bracon brevicornis & B. hebetor complex: Reliable identification required for proper utilization and evaluation of their role in biological control

While once considered as one species, more detailed investigations have confirmed that Bracon brevicornis and B. hebetor are two distinct species based on their external genitalia and also that they do not interbreed. Besides, the two species differ in their natural habitat and host preference. The activity of B. hebetor is generally confined to closed environment like godowns/warehouses where they primarily parasitize the pyralid moth larvae infesting stored grains. On the other hand, B. brevicornis is known to prefer the lepidopteron larvae infesting several crops. Thus, the natural habitat of B. hebetor is indoor while that of B. brevicornis, is outdoor. Because of this, the choice of B. hebetor for augmentative biocontrol of certain field pests like the coconut black-headed caterpillar may not be appropriate, especially as it is not arboreal. Such a choice is often due to confusion regarding the correct identification of the species. Therefore, there is a need to develop reliable tools to distinguish between B. hebetor and B. brevicornis so as to resolve this long pending issue. These issues are discussed.