Mating and Host Paralysing Behaviours of Goniozus (Parasierola) Nfphantidis (Mues.) (Hymenoptera:Bethylidae) on Opisina Arenosela Wlk. of Coconut
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Date
1985
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Abstract
Goniozus (= Parasierola) nephantidis (Muesebeck) (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae), the gregarious ectoparasitoid of the coconut leaf eating caterpillar, Opsina arenosella Wlk., is one of the widely used larval parasitoids for biological suppression of the pest in south India. Sequence of the courtship and mating behaviours of the parasitoid and its host paralysing behaviour are discussed. It was noticed that excessive mating and inbreedirg had little adverse effect on the progeny of the parasitoid. Details such as time taken for subduing the host, location of stinging, its effect on the host and the time taken for oviposition on the paralysed host caterpillars of O. arenosella are also discussed. It was observed that the parasitoid attacked the host caterpillar 12 to 36 hours after the same was offered for parasitisation. Once the host caterpillar was stung between the head and thorax, paralysis of the same took place in three minutes and cessation of muscular movementsin another 55 minutes.Normally, oviposition commenced 10 hours after the paralysis of the host caterpillar.
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Goniozus nephantidis, mating and host paralysing behaviours, Opisina arenosella
Citation
In: Proceedings, National Seminar on Entomophagous Insects and Other Arthropods and their Potential in Biological Control, University of Calicut, Calicut, 9-11 Oct. 1985 p-123-125