Biology of Microplitis demolitor (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), an Imported Parasitoid of Heliothis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) spp. and the Soybean Looper, Pseudoplusia includens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)1

Abstract
Microplitis Demolitor Wilkinson was collected in Queensland, Australia, and imported into the United States, where laboratory studies were conducted to determine its life history, host range, and other aspects of its biology. In all but 3 of 10 lepidopterous hosts tested, oviposition was attempted by M. demolitor, although only Heliothis zea (Boddie), H. virescens (F.), and Pseudoplusia includens (Walker) were suitable hosts for parasitoid development. A low number of parasitoids successfully developed from Trichoplusia ni (Hübner). Parasitoid development time from egg to pupation was ca. 8 days, and from pupation to adult emergence was 5 days at 27°C. Longevity of M. demolitor males and females was ca. 8 days.

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