DEVELOPMENT OF MICROCHAROPS-ANTICARSIAE GUPTA (HYM., ICHNEUMONIDAE), AN ENDOPARASITOID OF THE VELVETBEAN CATERPILLAR, ANTICARSIA-GEMMATALIS(LEP., NOCTUIDAE) AND MORPHOLOGY OF ITS IMMATURE STAGES

Microcharops anticarsiae Gupta, a solitary larval endoparasitoid, is a n efficient enemy of its natural host, Anticarsia gemmatalis, as well as some other lepidopterous pests. Development and behaviour of this i nsect species, as well as morphology of immature stages were studied i n the present work. As an oviposition site, most of the parasitoid fem ales preferred the posterior region of the host body. During the embry onic development the eggs increased in size. The larval stage consiste d of four instars. The morphometric measurements of the head and mandi bles were determined. The first instar larva is caudate-mandibulate ty pe. During each successive molt it turns more and more cylindrical wit h reduced tail length. Among the fourth instar larvae, rudiments of le gs, spiracles and of genital openings are visible. Under laboratory co nditions the duration time of the total immature stages lasted an aver age of 18.48 +/- 0.13 days. While male adult longevity was on average 13.7 +/- 1.5 days, that of the female extended for 21.9 +/- 1.6 days. The total life cycle of males and females lasted 41.6 +/- 1.7 and 45.9 +/- 0.26 days, respectively.