Bionomics of Euplectrus puttleri, new species,1 an Introduced Parasite of the Velvetbean Caterpillar, Anticarsia gemmatalis2 from South America

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Abstract
Euplectrus puttleri Gordh n. sp. (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) is a gregarious external parasite indigenous to the Neotropical region. It was discovered in Colombia (S.A.) as a parasite of the velvetbean caterpillar, Anticarsia gemmatalis (Hübner), and introduced into the U.S. in 1975 to aid in the biological control of its host, an important pest of soybeans, peanuts, and other leguminous plants throughout the southeastern United States. E. puttleri was released in Florida and Louisiana, in 1976 and in Mississippi in 1978. To date, E. puttleri is known to be established in Florida, although F1 recoveries were made in Mississippi in 1978. E. puttleri is multivoltine and presumably host specific to A. gemmatalis. It was observed to host feed; also, oviposition inhibits molting by the host. Newly emerged females undergo a preoviposition period. Oviposition occurs on all host instars except the 1st, and eggs are laid anywhere on the host dorsum. The mean numbers of eggs laid increased with each succeeding instar parasitized. Mean developmental time at temperatures ranging from 15°C–30°C was 44.1–9.9 days. Ovipositing females had a mean longevity of 14.3 days at 22°C–24°C and 30–50% RH, parasitized an average of 23 larvae, and had a mean fecundity of 100.5, laid an average of 7.2 eggs, and parasitized 1.7 larvae/day. Peak oviposition occurred on the 5th–7th day of adult life. Adult longevity increased as temperature was decreased from 35° to 4°–7°C. Maximum longevity at these low temperatures was 90 days. A high RH and enlarging the area of confinement also contributed to increased longevity. Horismenus sp. (Eulophidae) is recorded as a hyperparasite of E. puttleri in Colombia. H. fraternus (Fitch), Tetrastichus dolosus Gahan, and T. euplectri Gahan (Eulophidae) are known hyperparasites of Euplectrus spp. in the U.S.

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