IMPACT OF LARVAL-EXTRACT (KAIROMONE) OF EPHESTIA-KUEHNIELLA ZELL. (LEP., PYRALIDAE), ON THE BEHAVIOR OF THE PARASITOID BRACON-HEBETOR SAY. (HYM., BRACONIDAE)

The ectoparasitoid females Bracon hebetor Say., a braconid parasitoid of the Mediterranean flour moth searching and oviposition behaviours. After application of host-extract in Petri dishes containing host larv ae, the parasitoid females showed the following differences in respons es: (1) they found the host larvae earlier and the time of location wa s significantly decreased from control; (2) they retained much longer with the host larvae and the mean retention time increased significant ly as compared to control; (3) the parasitization rate increased signi ficantly; and (4) the experienced females doubled the rate of parasiti sm compared to the inexperienced ones. The later response could be att ributed to the learning and habituating behaviours.