The life cycle of Euplectrus Puttleri Gordh, 1980 (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) on Alabama argillacea Hubner, 1818 (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae

Abstract

Euplectrus puttleri is a gregarious external parasitoid. It was described as a parasite of the Anticarsia gemmatalis. The biology of E. puttleri was studied on Alabama argillacea larvae collected as natural hosts on cotton crops, in Londrina, State of Parana, Brazil. The study was conducted in a climatic chamber (25.5 ± 0.5 °C; 85 ± 10% RH; 12-hour photophase) and the adults were fed a 10% honey solution. Mated females (n =16) were confined individually, with a continuous supply of six 3rd instar larvae. The consumption of the parasitized larvae was evaluated by supplying leaf pieces of 9 cm2 to each one. The results, presented as mean (days or percentage) and standard deviation, were as follows: egg hatching (2.47 ±0.5); egg viabilitiy (99.3%); larval stage period (3.46 ±0.6); larval viabilitiy (95.1%); prepupal period (1.79 ± 0,8); prepupal viabilitiy (100%); pupal period (4.54 ± 0.8); pupal viability (86.4%); longevity of ovipositing females (11.6 ± 1.2); larvae parasitized/ female (3.3 + 1.8); eggs laid/ larva (8.9 ± 2.0); fecundity (29.3 ± 13.5); period from egg to adult (12.2 ±1 for the females and 11.8 ± 0.4 for the males); sex ratio (4.6 females : 1 male). The mean longevity of parasitized larvae was 3.1 days, during which they consumed 7 cm  of leaf area.