Morphological discrimination between first instar larvae of four euphorineparasitoids

Four parasitoids of the subfamily Euphorinae are common in New Zealand past ure. These are Microctonus aethiopoides, M. hyperodae, M. zealandicus and D inocampus coccinellae. There is overlap in these parasitoids' host ranges a nd, although adults of these species can be identified morphologically, the ir larval stages have not yet been compared. This contribution provides mor phological descriptions of the head capsules of 1st instar larvae that enab le the four parasitoid species to be distinguished. Diagnostic characterist ics are the shape of the mandible and the pattern of sclerotisation on the hypopharynx. Post 1st instar larvae can be identified by retrieving the she d 1st instar head capsule from the host abdomen.