| The larval ectoparasitoid Euplectrus ronnai (Brèthes) is one of the components of a species complex that attacks the armyworm Mythimna (Pseudaletia) sequax Franclemont (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). No data are available on the fecundity, longevity and host instar preference of E. ronnai, what prompted the conduction of this research. No parasitism occurred on the first and sixth instars of the host, and a positive relationship was found between host instar and the number of parasitoid eggs/host, which ranged from 1.5 on third- instar hosts to 3.6 on fifth instars. Females of E. ronnai showed a preference for either the fourth or fifth instar of M. sequax. There were no significant differences in the developmental time of the parasitoid, sex ratio, mean number... |
