Temperature Preference and Effects of Photoperiod on Oviposition Behavior of Five Pteromalid Wasps (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) Using House Fly (Diptera: Muscidae) Pupae as Hosts

Abstract

Temperature preference and effects of photoperiod on oviposition behavior of five species of pteromalid wasps were investigated using house fly pupae, Musca domestica L.. as hosts. All five species were exposed to treatments (temperature and photoperiod) for 24 h and then held at 25°C for progeny development. Mean parasitoid emergence for the five species in descending order was Muscidifurax raptor Girault & Saunders (46%). Pachycrepoideus vindemiae Rondani (37%), M. zaraptor Kogan & Legner (26%), Urolepis rufipes Ashmead (14%). and Spalangia nigroaenea Curtis (<1%). Length of photophase (6, 12, or 18 h) did not significantly effect parasitoid emergence for any species. Temperature, however, had a significant effect on oviposition behavior, and the five species appeared to respond differently to the different temperature levels (20, 25, and 30°c). Temperature had a significant quadratic effect on oviposition behavior of M. raptor , P. vindemiae , and U. rufipes . Emergence levels of M. raptor were highest from hosts held at 25 and 30°c. Emergence of P. vindemiae and U. rufipes was highest from hosts held at 25°C. Temperature had a significant linear effect on the oviposition behavior of M. zaraptor ; highest emergence occurred from hosts held at 30°C. Emergence levels for S. nigroaenea were too low to make comparisons between treatments. Effects on fly eclosion, sex ratios, and parasitoid-induced mortality for the five species are reported along with possible reasons for low S. nigroaenea emergence.