Post-mating Changes in the Oviposition Tactics of the Parasitic Wasp, Apanteles glomeratus L. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae

Abstract

Cocoon clusters of the arrhenotokous braconid parasitoid wasp, Apanteles glomeratus L., were collected in the field. Clusters consisting of males only contained significantly fewer cocoons than those including females (p<0.01). Under natural conditions, virgin females are considered to lay fewer eggs in a host than mated ones. Laboratory experiments revealed that virgin A. glomeratus females which had experienced oviposition were subsequently able to increase their clutch sizes after mating. In fact, the oviposition tactics of A. glomeratus seems related to whether or not they are mated. Examination of mature eggs stored in the egg reservoirs showed the number of available eggs in virgin and mated females to be the same regardless of age. © 1987, JAPANESE SOCIETY OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY AND ZOOLOGY. All rights reserved.