Developmental Stages of Praon pequodorum Viereck (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae), a Pea Aphid Parasitoid

Abstract
Praon pequodorum Viereck, a parasitoid of the pea aphid, has four larval instars. At 21.1°C, eclosion of the egg occurs 3 days after oviposition. The 1st and 4th instars are mandibulate, while the 2nd and 3rd are amandibulate. Supernumerary larvae are eliminated during the 1st instar, probably by physical combat. The host aphid is killed on day 6. The 4th-instar larva spins a skirtlike cocoon underneath the mummified aphid, in which prepupal and pupal development occurs. Adult emergence begins 13 days after oviposition. In certain cases, aberrant internal pupation followed by successful adult emergence was observed.