author(s)
Dr. Lalita and GS Gatoria

abstract
Because parasitoids are living animals, nutrition inevitably plays an important role in augmenting these natural enemies of pests. For nutrition is about nourishment; that is, it is the action or processes of transforming substances found in foodstuff into body materials and energy to do all the things attributed to life. Nutritional requirements depend on the synthetic abilities of the organism and the basis is genetical. Therefore, through nutrition we have a direct and essential connexion between an environmental factor, foodstuff, and the vital processes of the insect organism. A comprehensive knowledge of the nutritional ecology of insects is a requirement to understand their biology, behavior, and impact in natural ecosystems and agro-ecosystems. Although, major insect nutritional requirements for growth and reproduction are known for years, only a few dozen insects have been studied to learn their nutritional requirements. Extraordinary nutritional requirements werefound in a few insects from even these few studies. It is important to understand comparative nutritional requirements in order to study insects. In this review, emphasis will be placed on insect nutritional requirements for natural enemies.