STUDIES ON SOME ECOLOGICAL AND BIOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS OF THE PARASITOIDS, Apanteles SPP. (HYMENOPTERA: BRACONIDAE) ON THE HAWAIIAN BEET WEBWORM, Hymenia recurvalis FAB. (LEPIDOPTERA: PYRALIDAE) AT FAYOUM DISTRICT

Abstract

The present work was carried out at Fayoum district to study ecological and biological observations on the parasitoids, Apanteles spp which associated with the Hawaiian beet webworm, Hymenia recurvalis Fab. during two seasons (2006/2007 and 2007/2008). Results showed that the parasitoids were recorded parasitizing on 2 nd instar larvae of this insect pest.The Hawaiian beet webworm and its parasitoids, Apanteles spp. (Apanteles hymeniae Wilknson and A. marginiventris Creeson ) had one peak extended from first season until the end of December during the two successive seasons of study. Apanteles marginiventris was reared under laboratory conditions (25 ± 1 °C and 70 ± 5 % R.H.). Longevity of males and females averaged 3.90 and 6.30 days. Mean number of eggs laid was 15.10 eggs / female. Total duration of immature stages was 16.