EGG PRODUCTION, OVIPOSITION BEHAVIOR, AND SEX RATIOS OF BESSA HARVEYI (DIPTERA: TACHINIDAE) PARASITIZING THE LARCH SAWFLY, PRISTIPHORA ERICHSONII (HYMENOPTERA: TENTHREDINIDAE)

Abstract

AbstractIn Manitoba, the emergence of Bessa harveyi (Townsend) adults is well synchronized with the availability of larvae of its major host, Pristiphora erichsonii (Hartig). Mating occurs within 3 days of emergence and the females begin egg-laying 1–2 days later. Mean longevity was about 7 days for males and 12 days for females. Total egg production per female averaged 40 and 30 in 2 years with a maximum of 169 eggs from a single female. The total number of eggs laid per female was positively correlated with temperature.