Jp. Kaas et al., BEHAVIORAL TIME BUDGET AND PERIODICITY EXHIBITED BY MICROPLITIS-CROCEIPES IN-FIELD CAGES WITH HELIOTHIS-VIRESCENS ON SPRING HOST PLANTS, Entomophaga, 38(2), 1993, pp. 143-154
Microplitis croceipes (Cresson) females were observed between 06 :00 a
nd 20 :00 hours in cages containing spring host plants infested with H
eliothis virescens (F.), tobacco budworm, larvae. Cages contained Gera
nium dissectum L. and Trifolium incarnation L. in plantings of equal a
rea, each infested with 50 H. virescens larvae. A time budget for the
various behaviors exhibited by the wasps was obtained. In order of dec
reasing time spent, M. croceipes females were observed to exhibit stan
ding still, searching on plant surface, preening, oriented flight, gen
eral flight, and walking. The proportion of time spent preening increa
sed over the day. Oriented flight, general flight, searching, and walk
ing peaked in the morning between 09:00 and 12:00 hours. Oriented flig
ht, general flight, and walking showed minor increases in the afternoo
n. Microplitis croceipes females spent significantly more time preenin
g, orienting to, and walking and searching on clover than on geranium.
However, there was no difference in time spent standing still on gera
nium or clover. Significance of these findings for development of effe
ctive augmentative release strategies is discussed.