Laboratory Adaptation of an Indigenous Braconid Parasite to the Face Fly12

Abstract

A laboratory colony of the braconid palasite Aphaereta pallipes (Say) capable of utilizing the face fly, Musca Autumnalis De Geer, as a host was developed by subjecting the abnormal host to oviposition through 27 generations. Average parasitism during the experiment was 45.4%, and average natural emergence was 8.1%. Highest parasitism, 90.4%, occurred during the 13th generation, and highest rate of natural emergence of adult parasites from the hard, calcareous face fly pup aria, 29.3%, occurred in the 18th generation. Genetic variability was low in the parent stock, and the colony declined in rate of parasitism on the face fly and in ability to break out of the hard puparia of the host.