[Natural parasitism of triatominae eggs by Telenomus fariai Lima, 1927 in the laboratory].

In November/89 in the insectary of Centro de Estudos "Emmanuel Dias"/Bambuí-MG a high infestation by the microhymenoptera T. fariai was found. Among the 529 eggs examined from P. megistus and T. vitticeps, 375 (70.9%) of them showed a total of 1045 parasites (91.4% females and 8.6% males). Later on it was found that T. infestans eggs were also parasitised by T. fariai but not those from R. neglectus. The observed parasitoid/egg average was 7.9 in P. megistus; 8.7 in T. vitticeps and 10 in T. infestans. The present report has special importance considering the real possibility of T. fariai infestation due to the access of infested triatomine eggs from field captures inducing great damage to colonies maintained for research purposes. These eggs have to be carefully examined, isolated and eliminated. This procedure and the closing of triatomine containers with thin net (0.25 mm) is show to be efficient in T. fariai control.