Abstract
The life history and behavior ofEuplectrus laphygmae Ferrière were studied. The parasites paralyse the host larvae temporarily before ovipositing 1–2 eggs on their dorsum. Egg and larval development takes place externally in the location of egg deposition and pupation is in a silken cocoon under the dead host. Development lasts 11.7 days for both sexes. The eggs are attached to the host with a pedicel that is inserted under the cuticle but above the hypodermis, and which may have physiological and mechanical functions. The adult parasites host-feed, but do not lay on the same host. All hosts stung by parasites die, regardless whether oviposition has occurred, or whether host larvae develop upon them. Multiparasitism with internal parasites ofSpodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) was observed.
A comparison with otherEuplectrus species was made. They have a wide range of lepidopterous hosts but very similar biological characteristics. Only very few utilizations for biological control have been reported with this genus.
Résumé
L'évolution et le comportement deEuplectrus laphygmae Ferrière ont été étudiés. Les parasites paralysent les larves-hôtes provisoirement avant la ponte d'un ou deux œufs sur leur face dorsale. Le développement de l'œuf et de la chenille a lieu à l'emplacement de la ponte et de l'incubation dans un cocon de soie en-dessous de la chenille morte.
La durée du développement est de 11,7 jours pour les deux sexes. Les œufs sont attachés à la chenille par un pécicule entre la cuticule et l'hypoderme. Il pourrait subir des phénomènes mécaniques ainsi que physiologiques.
Les parasites se nourrissent de larves-hôtes mais ne pondent pas sur les mêmes larves. Toutes les chenilles piquées par les parasites meurent sans aucun rapport avec la ponte ou le développement d'une larve-parasite au-dessus des hôtes. On remarque un multiparasitisme des parasites internes deS. littoralis. Une comparaison entre différentes espèces d'Euplectrus a été établie. Ils comptent un grand nombre d'hôtes Lépidoptères; cependant leurs caractères biologiques sont très semblables.
Euplectrus a été très peu utilisé dans la lutte biologique contre les insectes nuisibles.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bischoff, H. — 1929. Zur biologie derEuplectrus bicolor. —Swed Z. Wiss. Insektenbiologie, 24, 78–82.
Boucek, Z. — 1970. Contribution to the knowledge of ItalianChalcidoidea, based mainly on a study, at the Institute of Entomology in Turin, with descriptions of some new European species. —Mem. Soc. Entomol. Ital., 49, 35–102.
Chairmonte, A. — 1933. Considerazioni entomologiche sulla coltura delle piante da frutto nella Somalia Italiana. —Agric. Colon., 27, 383–385. (Rev. Appl. Entomol., 21, 584, 1934).
Chattergee, P. N. — 1945. On the biology and morphology ofEuplectrus parvulus Férr. [Hymenoptera, Eulophidae]. —Ind. J. Entomol., 6, 95–101.
Clausen, C. P. — 1940. Entomophagous Insects. —McGraw-Hill, New York, 688 pp.
Mathur, R. N. — 1942. On the biology of the shisham defoliators in the Punjab plantations. —Ind. For. Rec. (N.S.), 7, 9–65.
Muir, F. &Swezey, O. H. — 1924. Entomology. —Report of Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Assoc. Exp. Stn., 25, 12–23.
— — 1927. Entomology. —Report of Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Assoc. Exp. Stn., 26, 16–29.
Neser, S. — 1973. Biology and behavior ofEuplectrus species nearlaphygmae Férrière (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae]. — Entomol. Mem. Dept. Agric. Tech. Serv. South Africa, 32, 31 pp.
Noble, N. S. — 1938.Euplectrus agaristae Crow. A parasite of the grape vine moth. —Dept. Agric. New South Wales, 63, 5–27.
Silvestri, F. — 1911. Contribuzioni alla conscenza degli insetti danosi e loro simbionti. IIPlusia gamma —Boll. Lab. Zool. Gen. Agric. Portici, 5, 308–311.
Smith, R. C. — 1927. Observations onEuplectrus platyhypenae a parasite of noctuid larvae. —Bull. Brooklyn Entomol. Soc., 22, 128–134.
Thomsen, M. — 1927. Some observations on the biology and anatomy of a cocoonmaking chalcid larva,Euplectrus bicolor Swed. —Saert. Vid. Medd. Dansk. Naturh. Foren., 84, 73–90.
Well, R. &Berberet, R. C. — 1974. The life cycle ofEuplectrus platyhypenae, a gregarious external parasitoid of peanut foliage feeders in Oklahoma. —Environ. Entomol., 3, 744–746.
Wilson, J. W. — 1933. The biology of parasites and predators ofLaphygma exigua Hb., reared during the season 1932. —Fla. Entomol., 17, 1–15.
Zimin, Yu. S. — 1930. On the biology ofEuplectrus bicolor Swed. as a parasite of noctuid larvae. —Bull. W. Caucas. Plant Prot. Stn., 6–7, 99–106 (in Russian).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gerling, D., Limon, S. A biological review of the genusEuplectrus [Hym.: Eulophidae] with special emphasis onE. Laphygmae as a parasite ofSpodoptera littoralis [Lep.: Noctuidae] . Entomophaga 21, 179–187 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02371904
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02371904