Is host age an important factor in the bionomics of Apanteles myeloenta (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)?

摘要: The carob moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is a serious pest and causes considerable loss of yield pomegranate in Iran. Apanteles myeloenta (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) the dominant parasitoid this parasitizing it more than 30% recent years. This candidate for augmentative biological control program to reduce level infes- tation fruit overwinter. objective research was optimize mass production A. myeloenta. mean develop- mental time females 28 days males 27 days. Pupal development lasted 7 second instar preferred host most heavily parasitized (45%). Wasps that started their hosts produced highest progeny those third survived as adults longest. sex ratio (females males) emerged from moth larvae first 1 : 3.5, 3 2. influence different ages on functional response density assessed. Logistic regression indicated type II densities all stages tested.