REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY AND LABORATORY REARING OF CERANTHIA SAMARENSIS (VILLENEUVE) (DIPTERA: TACHINIDAE), A PARASITOID OF THE GYPSY MOTH, LYMANTRIA DISPAR (L.)

Abstract

Laboratory observations on the biology of Ceranthia samarensis (Villeneuve), a tachinid parasitoid of the gypsy moth, were carried out in the laboratory at 22 °C day/15 °C night, 85–90% RH, and a 12L:12D photoperiod. Older (5–6 days post-eclosion) males mated readily with newly emerged females. Mating success was 60%. The gestation period of the mated females was 10–12 days. Laboratory-reared (on diet) second- and third-instar gypsy moth larvae feeding on newly grown foliage of Quercus rubra L. were exposed to gravid females of the parasitoid. Ceranthia samarensis ovolarviposited on the body of the host. The first-instar larva penetrated the host cuticle and developed internally, forming a respiratory funnel that caused a dark circular scar on the lateral side of the caterpillar. The average number of progeny (puparia) produced over the lifetime of a C. samarensis female was 55.0 ± 5.0 (SE) and average longevity was 4.1 ± 1.7 (SE) days. Diapause of the puparia was facultative and induced by temperatures below 20 °C combined with a 12L:12D photoperiod. In nondiapause individuals, total generation time was 22–40 days. To obtain diapause insects, puparia were stored for2monthsat 15 °C, 100% RH, and 12L:12D photoperiod for development of pharate adults. Cold storage at 2–4 °C and 100% RH for at least 5 months was required to obtain up to 75% eclosion after 5–9 days the following year.

Parasitism and over-wintering status of tachinids (Diptera) on larvae of the fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea Drury (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae), in the Kanto Region of Japan

“…Several tachinids, Eurithia consobrina, Ceranthia samarensis and Athrycia cinerea, are known to enter pupal diapause in response to environmental conditions, such as photoperiod and temperature, irrespective of the host physiology (Wylie, 1977;Quednau, 1993;Turnock and Carl, 1995). On the other hand, in Pseudoperichaeta nigrolineata (ϭin-sidiosa) that enter diapause at the second maggot instar, host physiology is considered to be an important factor in the control of diapause (Grenier and Delobel, 1984;Ramadhane et al, 1988).…”

Production of Dipteran Parasitoids

“…In captivity, adult tachinids are often provided with absorbent cotton soaked in honey-or sugar-water solutions and/or sugar cubes (Fusco et al, 1978;Mason et al, 1991;Mellini and Coulibaly, 1991;Coulibaly and Fanti, 1992;Kfir et al, 1989;Dindo et al, 1999Dindo et al, , 2010Sourakov and Mitchell, 2002). Honey solutions may also be gelled (Grenier, 1977;Quednau, 1993). Furthermore, the life span and fecundity of adult flies may be enhanced by providing raisins (Giangiuliani and Farinelli, 1995;Coombs, 1997) or mixtures of different carbohydrates and protein or yeast hydolysates (Campadelli, 1977).…”

“…Distilled water may be supplied to dipteran parasitoid adults by spraying over the cages (Quednau, 1993) or through moistened absorbent cotton in (Mason et al, 1991;Dindo et al, 2010). Collazo et al (1997) described an automatic system to supply water to mass-produced L. diatraeae adults, which reduced production costs and improved adult quality.…”

Untitled

“…Drino inconspicuoides Tachinidae [85] Asia Actias luna Compsilura concinnata Tachinidae [86] America Notolophus antiqua Linn Blepharipa zebina Tachinidae [85] Asia Lymantria dispar Ceranthia samarensis Tachinidae [87] North America…”