Biology of Orgilus elasmopalpi [Hym.: Braconidae] with Elasmopalpus lignosellus [Lep.: Pyralidae] as Host1

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Abstract
The biology of Orgilus elasmopalpi Muesebeck was investigated in the laboratory with Elasmopalpus lignosellus (Zeller) as a host. The developmental time of O. elasmopalpi ranged in days from 44.92 ± 0.5 (at 18.3° C) to 14.12 ± 0.12 (at 32.2°C). The calculated developmental threshold for egg-larval development was 17°C and 14.8°C for the prepupal-adult stage. Orgilus elasmopalpi parasitized and completed development in E. lignosellus 3rd, 4th, and 5th instars. Development time of the parasite was the same regardless of host stage parasitized. Adult longevity was inversely related to temperature, greatly increased when honey water was provided as a food source, and unaffected by the presence of hosts. Each life-stage showed a different temperature-developmental-rate relationship. This finding suggests a single control enzyme does not control development in O. elasmopalpi. Rather different enzymes may become sequentially rate-limiting during specific developmental stages.

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