Development of Microcharops anticarsiae Gupta (Hym., Ichneumonidae), an endoparasitoid of the velvetbean caterpillar, Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lep., Noctuidae) and morphology of its immature stages
Microcharops anticarsiae Gupta, a solitary larval endoparasitoid, is an efficient enemy of its natural host, Anticarsia gemmatalis, as well as some other lepidopterous pests. Development and behaviour of this insect species, as well as morphology of immature stages were studied in the present work. As an oviposition site, most of the parasitoid females preferred the posterior region of the host body. During the embryonic development the eggs increased in size. The larval stage consisted of four instars. The morphometric measurements of the head and mandibles were determined. The first instar larva is caudate-mandibulate type. During each successive molt it turns more and more cylindrical with reduced tail length. Among the fourth instar larvae, rudiments of legs, spiracles and of genital openings are visible. Under laboratory conditions the duration time of the total immature stages lasted an average of 18.48 +/- 0.13 days. While male adult longevity was on average 13.7 +/- 1.5 days, that of the female extended for 21.9 +/- 1.6 days. The total life cycle of males and females lasted 41.6 +/- 1.7 and 45.9 +/- 0.26 days, respectively.122736937
