EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES UPON THE PARASITOID COMPLEX OF THE GYPSY-MOTH (LYMANTRIA-DISPAR L) (LEP, LYMANTRIIDAE) IN LOWER HOST POPULATIONS IN EASTERN AUSTRIA

The parasitoid complex of low gypsy moth populations, using the host e xposure technique, was studied in eastern Austria in the late 70s. The following 10 larval parasitoid species were recovered: Braconidae: Ap anteles melanoscelus (Ratzeburg), Apanteles liparidis (Bouche), Meteor us pulchricornis (Wesmael); Ichneumonidae: Casinaria sp., Hyposoter tr icoloripes (Viereck), Phobocampe disparis (Viereck); Tachinidae: Paras etigena silvestris (Robineau-Desvoidy), Blepharipa pratensis (Meigen), Compsilura concinnata (Meigen), Exorista fasciata (Fallen). Parasitis m obtained from the rearing of 1961 host larvae amounted to 58.1% and based on both the larval rearings and the collection of parasitoid coc oons to about 87%. Parasitism encountered by dissecting gypsy moth lar vae showed generally high values (37-89%) 3-4 weeks after release. The dominating parasitoid species were the braconid A. melanoscelus and t he tachinids B. pratensis, P. silvestris and later in the season C. co ncinnata. The braconid suffered an average mortality of almost 50% by 16 hyperparasitoid species. Notes on the dominating parasitoid species are given.