Pupation Site Selection Behavior of Plodia interpunctella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Response to Its Parasitoid, Bracon hebetor (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Abstract

Pupation site selection behavior of Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) in response to its larval parasitoid, Bracon hebetor Say, was evaluated. Under the presence of the parasitoid, more moth larvae pupated in a layer deeper than 5 mm. Because the parasitoid searched for the host mostly in the surface layer (< 5 mm), larvae in deeper layers were able to successfully escape attack by the parasitoid. However, this behavior did not affect the numerical response of the parasitoid. The parasitoid laid more eggs per host larvae when the number of attacked larvae decreased.