First Record of <i>Pristomerus pallidus</i> (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Cremastinae) (Kriechbaumer) Parasitizing <i>Hellula undalis</i> (F.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Crucifer Crop in Senegal

Cabbage is today an economically important crop grown in more than 90 countries around the world. Production is constantly threatened by pests including the cabbage webworm, Hellula undalis (F.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) which just one or two larvae can cause severe damage by infesting the growing points or shoots of young plants. Hellula undalis is difficult to control by the use of chemical insecticides. The establishment of effective biological control is needed. The parasitoid species Pristomerus pallidus (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Cremastinae) was recorded for the first time in Senegal on larvae of Hellula undalis from cabbage fields infested with H. undalis. Laboratory observed parasitism was 7.4%. This is the first record of Pristomerus pallidus parasitizing Hellula undalis from Senegal. Furthermore, studies on the potential regulation of Hellula undalis under controlled and field conditions need to be evaluated for utilizing this parasitoid as a biocontrol agent against the cabbage webworm.