Laboratory Biology of Phaenocarpa Persimilis Papp (Braconidae: Alysiinae), a Parasitoid of Drosophila.

Abstract

P. persimilis is a recently discovered Australian parasitoid of several cosmopolitan and native species of Drosophila. It can be reared in the laboratory, and has a life cycle similar to that of other Hymenopterous insect endoparasites. An egg is laid in the host larva, and the adult wasp emerges from the host puparium. Various aspects of the wasp's behaviour and physiology, especially those features which may affect its relationship with its host in the field, were investigated in laboratory experiments. The results indicate that P. persimilis has many attributes which (potentially) allow it to be a very efficient parasitoid.