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Title: IMMATURE STAGES OF FOPIUS ARISANUS (HYMENOPTERA: BRACONIDAE) IN BACTROCERA DORSALIS (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE)

Author
item ROCHA, KATHY - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
item Mangine, Thomas
item Harris, Ernest
item LAWRENCE, P - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

Submitted to: Florida Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2004
Publication Date: 6/30/2004
Citation: Rocha, K.L., Mangine, T.E., Harris, E.J., Lawrence, P.O. 2004. Immature stages of fopius arisanus (hymenoptera: braconidae) in bactrocera dorsalis (diptera: tephritidae). Florida Entomologist. 87(2):164-168.

Interpretive Summary: The egg-pupal parasitoid, Fopius arisanus (Sonan) was reported to have four immature stages. We determined that this beneficial insect has only three life stages. This new knowledge is very important to entomologist interested in mass rearing and releasing this parasitoid to augment biological control of tephritid fruit lies infesting vegetable and fruit crops in tropical areas of the world.

Technical Abstract: We describe all immature stages, particularly the previously undescribed instars, of Fopius arisanus (Sonan) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), an egg-pupal parasitoid of tephritid fruit flies. This is essential for quality control in mass rearing programs and for p0hysiological studies of host parasite-interactions. Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (diptera: Tephritidae eggs were parasitized for 24 h and serial collections of hosts and their mouth hooks and body dimensions measured. Scatter plots of the abovce measurements and scanning electron microscopy indicated that there are three instars. This contrasts with the four instars previously reported. There appears to be no true fourth instar because the stage immediately following the second instar is indistinguishable from that predecing the prepupal stage.