Parasitism of Telenomus costalimai (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) on Rhodnius prolixus under laboratory conditions: effects of density

FELICIANGELI, M. D. Y J. E. RABINOVICH

JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOC AMER

Lugar: Lanham; Año: 1985 p. 654 - 657

0022-2585

Density effects in Telenomus costalimai, an endophagous parasitoid of Rhodnius prolixus eggs, were evaluated experimentally for 5 female parasitoid densities and 5 host egg densities. With increasing wasp densities, a functional response was obtained that was influenced by host availability. A low percentage of parasitized host eggs did not produce parasite progeny, but this can be ascribed to host unsuitability rather than to superparasitism. In relative terms, T. costalimai seems to offer more advantages than Ooencyrtus trinidadensis venatorius as a biocontrol agent of Rhodnius prolixus.