Notes on the Tachinid Parasites of Cotton Stainers (Dysdercus spp., Pyrrhocoridae) in South Africa

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Abstract
(1) Up to 35 per cent, of adult Dysdercus nigrofasciatus from a heavily infested late cotton crop at Barberton were found to be parasitised by Tachinid larvae at the end of the season.(2) The predominant Tachinid species was Alophora nasalis; Bogosilla fasciata was present in smaller numbers, and appears to be more common in regions of higher rainfall.(3) The development of the Tachinid larva within the stainer was a protracted process under local winter conditions, the larval period of A. nasalis being of the order of 2–3 months, and parasitised stainers were correspondingly long-lived.(4) The possible economic significance of the parasites is discussed.

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