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Biological characteristics of ectoparasitoid, Fulgoraecia melanoleuca (Fletcher) on various stages of its host, Pyrilla perpusilla (Walker)

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Abstract

Fulgoraecia melanoleuca (Fletcher) is a key parasitoid of Pyrilla perpusilla (Walker) nymphs and adults in the sugarcane ecosystem. The effect of different host stages, viz. five nymphal instars and adults (male and female) on the biological parameters, i.e. larval survival, larval period, pupal/chrysalis survival, pupal/chrysalis period and total development period of F. melanoleuca was examined. When 1st instar nymphs were exposed to the parasitoid, the host died completely without presenting any symptoms of parasitism.The larval survival, larval period, pupal/chrysalis survival, pupal/chrysalis period and total development period of the parasitoid was less on the younger nymphal instars as compared to later instars of the host. Likewise, adult longevity of parasitoid whose larvae had fed on younger instars lived for shorter period of time as compared to later instars. Between the sexes, the survival and development parameters of parasitoid was more when reared on female adult host as compared to male adults. The sex-ratio of F. melanoleuca adults was female-biased on all the host stages. However, more female progeny was observed in later nymphal instars and female adult host. The fecundity of F. melanoleuca increased with increase in host age and was comparatively more in the later nymphal instars. However, 4th instar pyrilla nymphs serving as host for F. melanoleuca favoured a significant increment in number of eggs laid by the parasitoid females as compared to 3rd and 5th instar nymphs. Among the host stages, 4th instar nymphs and adult females were more suitable for the parasitoid, F. melanoleuca.

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Acknowledgements

The authors express gratitude to the Head, Department of Entomology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India, for providing all the necessary resources for this study.

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  1. Department of Entomology, Punjab Agricultural University, 141 004, Ludhiana, India

    Tarun Sharma & P. S. Shera

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  1. Tarun Sharma
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Sharma, T., Shera, P.S. Biological characteristics of ectoparasitoid, Fulgoraecia melanoleuca (Fletcher) on various stages of its host, Pyrilla perpusilla (Walker). Int J Trop Insect Sci 43, 373–382 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-022-00938-9

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