Parasites of Lepidopterous Larvae in Insect Resistant and Susceptible Soybeans in South Carolina

Abstract

Thirty-three species of parasites were reared from four species of lepidopterous larvae. Larvae collected from insect resistant and susceptible soybeans showed no differences in insect parasitism. Hosts and parasitism levels for 1976 and 1977 respectively were: green cloverworm, Plathypena scabra (F.), 11.2 and 8.5%; corn earworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie), 1.2 and 5.7%; soybean looper, Pseudoplusia includens Walker, 9.7 and 16.0%; and velvetbean caterpillar, Anticarsia gemmatalis Hubner, 0.4 and 1.9%. The most prevalent parasite reared from P. scabra , H. zea and P. includens was Apanteles marginiventris (Cresson). P. includens was a new host record for A. marginiventris . Meteorus autographae (Vier.) was the most prevalent parasite of A. gemmatalis . P. scabra was the only host exhibiting lower population levels in the insect resistant ED73-37l than in the susceptible soybean variety ‘Bragg’.