Morphology, Development, and Behavior of the Immature Stages of the Parasite, Bathyplectes curculionis1,2

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Abstract
Observations, linear measurements, dissections, and histological preparations were made of the eggs and larvae of Bathyplectes curculionis (Thomson) on a daily basis while these immature forms were confined in their host, Hypera postica (Gyllenhal). The observed developmental period began 24 h after oviposition by adult parasites and lasted until parasite larvae emerged from their hosts. Parasite eggs nearly doubled in size during their 4-day incubation and eclosion was not accompanied by complete emergence of 1st instars from the egg membranes. Considerable variation occurred in developmental rates between nondiapausing and diapausing parasite larvae. Parasite larvae fed on hemolymph initially but preferred the fat body and other tissues as later instars. B. curculionis apparently passed through 5 instars in as few as 9 days or as many as 17 days at 21°±1°C. Total developmental time ranged from 13–21 days.