INSECT PARASITES OF THE SADDLED PROMINENT, HETEROCAMPA GUTTIVITTA (LEPIDOPTERA: NOTODONTIDAE), IN THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES

Abstract

AbstractSamples of the egg, larval, and pupal stages of the saddled prominent, Heterocampa guttivitta (Walker), were obtained from infestations of this defoliator in six northeastern states. Seventeen species of primary parasites were recovered, 11 are new records for this host. A key to adult parasites is presented.Apparent parasitism of the egg stage by Telenomus coelodasidis Ashm. and Trichogramma minutum Riley varied from 30 to 76% and 1 to 20% respectively. Aggregate apparent mortality ranged from 40 to 78%. As a rule, egg parasitism was highest in the upper crown of both sugar maple and beech. The developmental stages of parasitized eggs are described and illustrated.Two species of larval parasites were recovered: Phobocampe pallida (Cush.) from instar III and Eulophus anomocerus (Crawford) from instar V. Parasitism by each species was always less than 1%.Cratichneumon sublatus (Cress.) was the only pupal parasite found in all of the infestations examined. Parasitism ranged from 1 to 17% under outbreak conditions to as much as 32–57% the year following a collapse of the host population. A new species of Patelloa (Tachinidae) was recovered from pupae in Maine and New York. Parasitism by the latter ranged from 3 to 7%. Ten species of Ichneumonidae and one species of Sarcophagidae were also recovered from the pupae.