
Augmentative biological control by the parasitoid braconid wasp Habrobracon hebetor (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is the most promising strategy to control millet head miner (MHM), a major insect pest of pearl millet in the Sahel. Because there is not a suitable host to maintain the parasitoid population in the field between millet growing seasons, there needs to be a sufficient supply of parasitoids for release each year. Therefore, the aim of this study was to: i) fine tune parasitoid rearing process, for cost-effective production to meet increasing demands; and ii) fine-tune parasitoid releases for effective control of the MHM. Our findings lay basis for standardize production of parasitoids for industrial use in the Sahel.