Studies on the influence of host and induced superparasitism on the pupal parasite Trichospilus pupivora Ferriere (Eulophidae)

Abstract

The literature on the effect of host on parasites and that on Trichospilus pupivora has been reviewed. The total number of adults produced, sex ratio, developmental period, longevity and size of T. pupivora were accertained when bred on eight different speciesof host pupae, namely (1) Phytometra peponis (2) Prodenia litura, (3)Orthaga exvinacea, (4) Sylepta derogata, (5) Lampides boeticus, (6) Margaronia indica, (7) Nephantis serinopa, and (8) Gracillaria soyella. Correlation and regression studies show that there exist, a highly significant and positive linear correlation between the weight of the host pupa on the one hand and the number of parasites emerged, the proportion of females , the developmental period and the size of the parasites emerged, the proportion of females, the developmental period and the size of the parasites on the other. There does not appear to be any correlation between longevity of parasites and weight of host pupa.