Capsule Formation in Hypera postica1 Parasitized by Bathyplectes curculionis2,3

Abstract
Larvae of Hypera postica (Gyllenhal) were stung by Bathyplectes curculionis (Thomson) and fixed at timed intervals after parasitization. Encapsulation commenced 5-6 h after stinging and 40-50% of all eggs were fully encapsulated by 12-15 h. Melanization was observed in nearly all fully encapsulated eggs after 15 h. Complete encapsulation resulted in arrested embryonic development at the blastoderm stage. Some parasite embryos were killed within 21 h of parasitization. Although the rate of encapsulation (partial + complete) did not vary greatly between solitary parasitized and superparasitized weevil larvae, a greater percentage of solitary eggs were fully encapsulated and destroyed.