Biological study and life table estimation of the parasitoid species Habrobracon hebetor say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) on three hosts: indian meal moth, fig moth and wax moth

Abstract Background The parasitoid species Habrobracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae ) is one of the most important biological control agents against pests in family Pyralidae, which associated with stored food products. This study was conducted between 2023 and 2025 under laboratory conditions in Idlib Governorate. Life cycle of the parasitoid and life table parameters were studied when reared on three hosts: Indian meal moth Plodia interpunctella Hübner, fig moth Cadra cautella Walker and wax moth Galleria mellonella Linnaeus. Results Showed that all hosts were suitable for rearing the parasitoid, with the average developmental duration of immature stages being (12.36, 12.16, 11.54) days on fig moth, Indian meal moth, and wax moth, respectively. The highest daily net reproductive rate (R 0 ) (female/female) of the parasitoid was observed when reared on the wax moth, reaching 49.73. The highest intrinsic rate of increase (rm) (female/female/day) for the parasitoid was observed on the wax moth, with a value of 0.22. The shortest generation time (T) and doubling time (DT) for the parasitoid were recorded when reared on the wax moth, with values of 17.58 and 3.12 days, respectively. The highest finite rate of increase (λ) (female/female/day) for the parasitoid was recorded when reared on the wax moth, with a value of 1.25, followed by the Indian meal moth with 1.21, and the fig moth with 1.19, while the lowest value was found in the pest, at 1.09. Conclusions The study demonstrated that H. hebetor can successfully develop on all three tested hosts under laboratory conditions. However, G. mellonella (wax moth) proved to be the most suitable host, as evidenced by its shorter developmental duration, highest reproductive and population growth parameters (R₀, rₘ, λ), and shortest generation and doubling times. These findings suggest that the wax moth is the optimal host for mass rearing H. hebetor , enhancing its potential for use in biological control programs targeting pyralid pests in stored product environments.