Life history of Apanteles marginiventris with descriptions of immature stages

Abstract

Studies were conducted to determine the Hfe history of the larval endoparasite Apanteles marginiventris (Cresson) in Trichoplusia ni (Hubner), Pseudoplusia includens (Walker), and Heliothis virescens. Optimum developmental periods from egg to pupa for T. ni, P. includens, and H. virescens were 7, 7, and 6 days, re spectively. Minimum development for the parasite in all 3 species were 6 days. A. marginiventris showed preference for 2-day-old T. ni larvae over 1- and 3-day-old larvae for oviposition. Apanteles marginiventris (Cresson), originally described from Cuba, is native to the West Indies (Muesebeck 1921). It is known to occur in Mississippi as an internal larval parasite on Trichoplusia ni (Hubner), Pseudoplusia includens (Walker), and Heliothis virescens, all of which are of economic importance in the southeastern United States. The life cycle studies reported here were conducted to obtain greater insight into the natural biological regulation of the above pest species.