Life history of Aneugmenus merida Smith (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) in the Venezuelan Andes

Abstract

Details of the life cycle of Aneugmenus merida Smith (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) reared under laboratory conditions are reported. Females may produce parthenogenetic or nonparthenogenetic eggs. After eclosion, males of A. merida go through five larval instars, pre-pupa, pupa and imago. The complete life cycle lasts approximately 44 days. Larvae feed on bracken [Pteridium caudatum (L.) and Pteridium arachnoideum (Kaulf)] (Dennstaedtiaceae). We also report on morphological observations of the sinus sexualis in males by scanning electron micrographs and give details on mating behavior.