Impact of Hyperparasitism on the Dynamics of Apanteles Sp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) against Rice Skipper, Parnara guttata Bremer and Grey in Anantnag, Kashmir

Abstract

Trichomalopsis apanteloctena (Crawford) was found to be commonly associated with Apanteles sp. on Parnara guttata on paddy, causing its hyperparasitism from third week of August till October, during 2003-2005, in Kashmir valley. Three years' data indicated a total mean of 8.8 individuals of T. apanteloctena developing per cocoon cluster of Apanteles sp. that averaged 30.2. Per cent hyper parasitism and per cent cocoon cluster hyperparasitism were 20.1 and 44.51, respectively, and each of these parameters had a positive correlation with mean number of hyperparasitoids per cocoon cluster. The mean number of Apanteles sp. per cocoon cluster was, however, found to be negatively correlated with cocoon cluster hyperparasitism (r = -0.42*; d. f. = 19) and mean number of hyperparasitoids/ cocoon cluster (r = -0.44; d. f. = 19). Since the hyper parasitoids appeared late during third week of August each year, overall impact on the activity of Apanteles sp. was, therefore, insignificant except during October, which led to a noticeable decline both in mean number of Apanteles cocoon cluster-1 and per cent host larval parasitism.