Development and Sex Ratio of \u3ci\u3eMelittobia Australica\u3c/i\u3e and \u3ci\u3eM. Digitata\u3c/i\u3e (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) on \u3ci\u3eMegachile Rotundata\u3c/i\u3e (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) and \u3ci\u3eTrypoxylon Politum\u3c/i\u3e (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae)

Abstract

Life history, development time, and sex ratio of Melittobia australica Girault and M. digitata Dahms on Megachile rotundata (Fabricius) and Trypoxylon politum Say are presented and compared with previous reports. Total development time and sex ratio differs slightly among the different hosts but falls within the expected range reported for different hosts and Melittobia species. The slightly longer development times and higher proportion of males recorded for both species on M. rotundata hosts probably reflects poorer host nutritional quality, relative to T. politum. We confirm that the one unusually extended development time reported by Schmieder for Melittobia chalybii Ashmead collected in New Jersey, can be accounted for as likely having represented a previously unknown species since described as M. femorata Dahms