Abstract
The biology of Aphaereta pallipes (Say), a braconid parasite of the face fly, Musca autumnalis De Geer, was studied with particular emphasis on ovipositional habits and factors affecting oviposition in the laboratory. Larval hosts were found to migrate into successively deeper layers of an artificial manure pile as time progressed. This habit influences contact with hymenopterous parasites. The parasites oviposited in all 3 instars of face fly larvae but showed a definite preference for the 1st and 2nd instars. Ovipositing females were evidently unable to place eggs normally in the haemocoel of older larvae, for the number of eggs found just under the cuticle of the host increased as the host age during exposure increased. Parasites developing to the adult stage were fewer in larval attacked in the 3rd instar than those attacked in the 1st and 2nd instars. A greater number of eggs of the parasite were found in larval hosts when Sphaeridium scarabadcoides (L.) beetles were present.
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