Abstract
The ability of the braconid parasite,Iphiaulax varipalpis Cary to control the beetleDyrphya nigricornis Olivier was evaluated. Field collected samples and specimens reared in polyethylene paper tubes under laboratory conditions (23.0°C±1.0 at 70% r.h) were used. Field parasitism was low (10.72%) while laboratory parasitism was high (57.66%). The parasite detected the hosts very easily in the laboratory. This ability is minimised in thick canopies ofCoffea arabica L. Host colonization was brisk (90 seconds) and confined to a near absolute area of discovery, measuring 4.18±0.41 cm. The parasite reproduces gregariously with female lifespan being approximately double the male period. The parasites are very active at the age of 10 days. As they age their potential fecundity (232 oocytes) reduces drastically with oviposition.
Résumé
On a évalué la capacité que possède le braconide parasite,Iphiaulax varipalpis Cary à lutter contre le Coléoptère CérambycideDirphya nigricornis Olivier. On a utilisé des échantillons récoltés dans les plantations et des spécimens élevés dans des tubes de polyéthylène maintenus dans les conditions du laboratoire (23°C+1,0 à 70p. 100 H.R.). Le parasitisme à l'extérieur était faible (10,72 p. 100) tandis qu'il était fort en laboratoire (57,66 P. 100). Le parasite détectait très facilement les hôtes au laboratoire. Cette capacité était réduite dans les frondaisons épaisses deCoffea arabica L. La colonisation de l'hôte s'effectuait très rapidement (90 secondes) se confinant à une aire presque absolue de découverte mesurant 4,18+0,41 cm. Le parasite se reproduit d'une façon grégaire, la durée de vie de la ♀ étant approximativement le double de celle du ♂. Les parasites sont très actifs à l'âge de 10 jours. Comme ils vieillissent, leur fécondité potentielle (323 ovocytes) se réduit d'une façon draconienne avec l'oviposition.
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Wanjala, F.M.E., Khaemba, B.M. The biology and behaviour ofIphiaulax varipalpis [Hymenoptera: Braconidae] as a parasite ofDirphya nigricornis [Coleoptera: Cerambycidae] . Entomophaga 32, 281–289 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02373252
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02373252