Ecology of Pteromalus Puparum (Linné) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) Parasitic on the Pupae of Papilio xuthus Linné (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)

Abstract

The ecological aspects of Pteromalus puparum (Linné), a pupal parasite of Papilio xuthus Linné, were studied in the field and in the laboratory. The field investigations on seasonal prevalence of the hosts and parasites were made at a citrus grove in Fukuoka in 1972 and 1974. Host pupation occurred from May to November each year and the parasite attacked the host during this period. Host density increased rapidly in and after mid-August. The parasite acted as a delayed density-dependent mortality factor on the host and thus a high parasitism occurred in mid-September. Thereafter the percentage of parasitism sharply decreased as host mortality due to other natural enemies increased. An unfed female parasite, which is a synovigenic species, produced an average of 189.3 progeny, with a maximum of 311, at 25º;C. The female adults provided with honey in a screen lived about one month in August and September, and longer than three months in October and November. The developmental zero of the parasite was 12.2ºC and the total effective temperature was 213.7 degree-days. The biological characteristics of the parasite mentioned above are discussed in relation to the effectiveness of the parasites as a natural enemy. © 1976, JAPANESE SOCIETY OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY AND ZOOLOGY. All rights reserved.