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The effect of parasitism byHyposoter didymator [Hym.: Ichneumonidae] on food consumption and utilization bySpodoptera litura [Lep.: Noctuidae]

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Abstract

The effect of parasitism byHyposoter didymator (Thunb.) [Hym.: Ichneumonidae] on food consumption and utilization bySpodoptera litura (Fb.) [Lep.: Noctuidae] was studied for seven days, during which the parasitoid completed its larval development. Food consumption, weight gained and faeces produced were significantly less in parasitized larvae than in unparasitized larvae after the 4th day following parasitization. Approximate digestibility was higher in parasitized larvae after the 2nd day following parasitization. Efficiency of conversion of ingested and digested food into body weight was greater in unparasitized larvae after the 2nd day of parasitization. There seems to be a definite immediate advantage to the crop on releasing the parasitoid due to the reduced consumption of food.

Résumé

L'incidence du parasitisme d'Hyposoter didymator sur la consommation et l'utilisation des aliments parSpodoptera litura a été étudiée pendant la période de 7 jours correspondant à la vie préimaginale du parasitoïde. La consommation alimentaire, le gain de poids et les faeces produites deviennent significativement plus faibles chez les larves parasitées que chez les larves saines au-delà du 4e jour de parasitisme. La digestibilité (valeur approchée) devient significativement plus élevée chez les larves parasitées au-delà du 2e jour de parasitisme. Le taux de transformation des aliments ingérés ou des aliments digérés en masse corporelle devient plus élevé chez les larves parasitée après le deuxième jour de parasitisme. Le lâcher de parasitoïdes semble être immédiatement avantageux pour la culture du fait de la diminution de la consommation alimentaire de la chenille.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biological Control Centre, Bellary Road, P. Box 2491, H.A. Farm Post, 560 024, Bangalore, India

    P. Kumar & C. R. Ballal

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  1. P. Kumar
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  2. C. R. Ballal
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Contribution No. 46004 of Biological Control Centre (NCIPM), Bangalore 560 024.

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Kumar, P., Ballal, C.R. The effect of parasitism byHyposoter didymator [Hym.: Ichneumonidae] on food consumption and utilization bySpodoptera litura [Lep.: Noctuidae]. Entomophaga 37, 197–203 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02372418

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02372418

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