Host Acceptance and Oviposition Behavior of the Parasitoid Campoletis sonorensis (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)1, 2

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Abstract
Both physical and chemical stimuli associated with larvae of Heliothis virescens (F.) influenced acceptability of the larvae to the parasitoid Campoletis sonorensis (Cameron). Shape had an appreciable effect: a straight cylindrical shape was more acceptable than a round or flat one. Alovement and size of host were less important to the oviposition process. An active material distributed throughout the body of H. virescens larvae provided a critical stimulus for oviposition by C. sonorensis. Extracts elicited the greatest ovipositional activity. Differential and sequential extracts of cuticle and frass revealed that acetone and methanol gave the greatest activity. Separation by thin layer chromatography indicated that both an apolar and a polar kairomone may be involved in the activity. Host acceptability and oviposition by C. sonorensis did not depend upon a nutritionally suitable host larva; H. virescens larvae were acceptable for oviposition when their internal contents were replaced with various materials. The antennae of C. sonorensis were involved in host searching and oviposition. Antennectomy removed the ability of female parasitoids to search for and oviposit in larval hosts. The tarsi were apparently not used in the oviposition process.

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