NOTES ON LIFE-HISTORY, FECUNDITY, LONGEVITY, AND ATTACK PATTERN OF AGATHIS PUMILA (HYMENOPTERA: BRACONIDAE), A PARASITE OF THE LARCH CASEBEARER

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Abstract
Agathis pumila (Ratzeburg) is a host-specific univoltine solitary internal braconid parasite attacking the first- and second-instar larvae of the larch case-bearer. Descriptions and illustrations of all developmental stages are given. The adults mated in the laboratory when 1-day-old females were exposed to 5-day-old males. The reproductive system of the female is discussed. The inherent fecundity is over 300 eggs and in tests at 75°F the average number of eggs laid per female was 139.8. Average longevity is 22.0 days. The average number of hosts destroyed with the ovipositor was 15.2 per female. The incubation period of the parasite’s egg was 7 days at 77°F. The attack pattern of A. pumila is described. In finding hosts the parasite was guided by chemotaxis and vibrotaxis. Longevity of honey-fed A. pumila females, without hosts, at constant temperatures ranging from 50° to 95°F was, on the average, highest at 60°F (45.6 days) and lowest at 95°F (10.6 days). Superparasitism occurs in the field and laboratory.