Reproductive behaviour of tetrastichus brontispae ferrière (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Tetrastichus brontispae Ferrière (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) is an important pupae parasitoid of Brontispa longissima (Gestro) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). This study observed the adult reproductive behaviour of T. brontispae, including emergence, courtship, mating, and oviposition when it develops in pupae of B. longissima. Our results showed that the peak emergence time of parasitoids was within the first 2 h after the first parasitoid emerged. Most host pupae had one or two emergence holes mainly on the third to sixth abdominal segments. The average number of emerged adults was 23.51 ± 9.08. Once it leaves the host pupa, the courtship and mating behaviour of T. brontispae were observed within 1–2 min after a male meets a female, and the mating process was usually short. Every segment of host pupa could be parasitised except the first and the last segments. The duration of oviposition was 16–20 min. The number of emerged adults had nothing to do with the duration of oviposition. Females and males were capable to mate more than once in their lifetime, and antennae appeared to be an important communication tool during their courtship behaviour. When multiple pairs of adults were together, the obvious competition was observed between males. When ovipositing, the female will choose to parasitise among multiple pupae. This paper introduces the adult behaviour of T. brontispae, may help updating the previous data and providing more comprehensive understanding for other scholars.