Effect of Host (Musca domestica Linnaeus) Age on the Pteromalid Parasite Nasonia vitripennis (Walker)

Abstract

AbstractAn investigation was made of the influence of age of the host (Musca domestica Linn.) in the pupal stage on the oviposition behavior and development of the pteromalid parasite Nasonia vitripennis (Walk.). Five age groups of hosts were employed in 10 pair combinations with an excess of hosts available for selection. Except for the 1-day-old hosts, more of the younger hosts of the combinations produced parasite progeny while the older hosts had a high percentage yielding neither fly nor parasite. Parasite production per pupa was 6.25 on the youngest hosts, with the number decreasing to 4.85 per host at 5 days. Hosts 2, 3, and 4 days old combined with 1-day-old hosts had higher rates of parasitism than when combined with hosts of other ages. The ranking for successful parasitization of hosts, by age of pupae, was 2, 3, 1, 4, and 5 days old.