Evidences of induced maternal molt inhibition by Gonatopus chilensis (Insecta, Hym.: Dryinidae) in Peregrinus maidis (Insecta, Hem.: Delphacidae) nymphs

EDUARDO GABRIEL VIRLA

NEOTROPICA

Lugar: La Plata; Año: 2003 vol. 49 p. 35 - 41

0548-1686

Dryinidae (Hymenoptera) oviposition is accompanied by the emission of a paralyzing substance. They are koinobionts, so the host remains alive and feeds on the plant after being parasitized, but it usually does not molt. The mechanism by which the development of the host is slowed and/or blocked is ignored; it could be due to substances injected by the female during the oviposition and/or to substances produced by the developing dryinid larvae. The effect of parasitism by Gonatopus chilensis (Olmi) (Hymenoptera: Dryinidae) was tested in the last three nymphal instars of the corn planthopper Peregrinus maidis (Ashmead) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) to detect the possible source of arresting development and the periods that are critical to molt inhibition phenomena. The obtained evidence permits to ensure that the ovipositing female is at least one of the sources of the host regulatory factor.